Apple beats Samsung in court, sanity sits in the corner laughing (w/ rant)

So unless you’re digitally disconnected or live under a rock, by now you’ve heard the news that has rolled out today about the Apple vs Samsung legal battle.  The jury came out earlier, and announced they found Samsung guilty of violating Apple’s software and hardware design patents, while Apple was found to have violated none of Samsung’s.  Kinda of contradictory to the ruling that was announced a couple of days ago from the South Korea lawsuit which found Apple in violation and getting a few legacy products banned from sale there.

Regardless, Sammy just got slapped with a massive fine of $1.049 billion dollars in the judgement.  Billion.  Apple is now trying to rush the injunctions phase through so they can supposedly work on the ”irreparable harm” that Samsung products have done to the market.  Really, how many people ever confused a Samsung device with an iPhone or iPad?  That’s right, the rectangle design throws everyone off.  The injunction hearing for now is scheduled for September 20 to cover potential bans on product sales – most of which are no longer sold in the US – or possible licensing deals which could possibly cost Samsung even more money.  Because again, no one has every questioned the validity of Apple’s patents *coughbullshitcough*.

The breakdown of the $1.049 billion is as follows:

• $57 million for the Samsung Prevail
• $44,792,974 for the Infused 4G
• $53,123,612 for the Mesmerize
• $3,350,256 for the Replenish
• $954,060 for the Transform

Let’s not confuse things here folks, this isn’t the end of it.  There’s going to appeals on everything possible from Samsung, and Apple is going to keep bullying their way through Samsung and potentially other manufacturers like HTC, LG, and Motorola.

I am curious to know how this will impact the relationship between Apple and Sammy when it comes to hardware production on the iPhone.  Bet some of you fanboys didn’t realize that there’s Samsung hardware in those things.  Better say thanks for the retina display and A5X chip.

And in typical media spin, both sides have already pushed out their first statements.

Samsung

“Today’s verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer. It will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices. It is unfortunate that patent law can be manipulated to give one company a monopoly over rectangles with rounded corners, or technology that is being improved every day by Samsung and other companies. Consumers have the right to choices, and they know what they are buying when they purchase Samsung products. This is not the final word in this case or in battles being waged in courts and tribunals around the world, some of which have already rejected many of Apple’s claims. Samsung will continue to innovate and offer choices for the consumer.”

Apple

“We are grateful to the jury for their service and for investing the time to listen to our story and we were thrilled to be able to finally tell it. The mountain of evidence presented during the trial showed that Samsung’s copying went far deeper than even we knew. The lawsuits between Apple and Samsung were about much more than patents or money. They were about values. At Apple, we value originality and innovation and pour our lives into making the best products on earth. We make these products to delight our customers, not for our competitors to flagrantly copy. We applaud the court for finding Samsung’s behavior willful and for sending a loud and clear message that stealing isn’t right.”

Really…values?  You value originality and innovation?  Funny, as I recall Steve Jobs himself said quite the opposite back in ’94 and I’ll paraphrase from him half-quoting Picasso “good artists copy great artists steal and we have always been shameless in stealing great ideas”.  Oh wait, here’s the video to confirm!!

Microsoft also released a Microstatement via Twitter from their senior director of Windows Phone marketing communications Bill Cox.

“@billcox: Windows Phone is looking gooooood right now.”  Is it now?  Too bad your sales aren’t looking as good as your devices supposedly do.

Now that Apple has won this case by owning the patent on a rectangle and curved edges, let’s take a look at some other items they might be looking to patent out in Cupertino:

• The color white
• The color black
• Glass displays
• Plastic
• The words phone and cellphone
• The fruit Apple (look out farmers)
• Pears (they obviously copied the design of an apple)
• The USB cable
• Holding a cellular device in the left hand (you’re holding it wrong! remember this?)

If that doesn’t give a humorous approach to the stupidity of the current patent system, I don’t know what will.  Let’s face the obvious, the current system is completely FUBAR.  They provide nothing more than a blueprint on how to screw over innovation by suing the piss out of anyone who makes a product that challenges you, as opposed to protecting innovation.  With all the lawsuits going on, innovation is an afterthought by most of these manufacturers.  I’m not just pointing at Apple on that statement, I’m referring to everyone.  Rebuild the system, and force manufacturers to build products that excite customers and challenge each other to be great.  Mobile technology is a market with limitless potential if you embrace it, not try to take it all for yourself.

Source: The Verge | Phandroid