News - Samsung may have lost against Apple in the US, but not in Japan

[HEXUS]

Another country joins the ranks of the sensible and battles rage on.

Read more.

[scaryjim]

it's expected a new focus will be placed on the validity of Apple's parents themselves ...

Freudian slip, Alistair...?

[Roobubba]

it's expected a new focus will be placed on the validity of Apple's parents themselves ...

Freudian slip, Alistair...?

Haha good spot!

Also:

relates to the the bounce-back patent.

[chates]

It's very much tit for tat at the moment, it doesn't seem that the US ruling has impacted too much on the popularity of the Galaxy range. Can't help feeling that if Google and the android manufaturers such as Samsung, Motorola dn Sony teamed up they'd be able to knock apple back...

[shaithis]

Just wish they would start to get tough on this. All this is doing is slowing down the rate at which the handset prices are falling, while filling lawyers pockets with huge sums of money.

Joy....

[slypie]

It's a really stupid ruling. Yes the phones look slightly similar but at the end of the day what shape is Samsung meant to make their phones? Also the icons are similar again what shape do they expect them to be. Next someone will sue as they invented a button on a mobile.

[Scribe]

Freudian slip, Alistair...?

New (rather old and bad) keyboard =P - thanks for pointing it out.

[scaryjim]

... while filling lawyers pockets with huge sums of money.

I've come to the conclusion that the purpose of the US Patent Office is not to protect innovative ideas but to line the pockets of patent litigation lawyers. It's the only possible explanation for some of the incredibly generic ideas that have been awarded patents...

[Fraz]

In general, I think the whole thing is stupid, and the sole winners are the lawyers, but surely you have to admit that Samsung were extracting the urine a bit too far with the shape and general look of their phones. I've seen a number of Samsung phones that at first glance I would take to be an iPhone 3GS. No other company went quite so far. For instance, HTC phones from ~2 years ago clearly can't be mistaken for an iPhone.

[crossy]

Google took the opportunity to file its own suit covering seven patents, some of which would have a serious impact on 'Siri', one of the biggest drivers behind the firm's modern smartphones. This appears to have prompted some response from Apple as CEO, Tim Cook, quickly picked-up the phone with Google's Larry Page to hold secret discussions.

Oh, I see - interesting double standard there. If Apple's the "victim" then it's all guns blazing "they shall not pass". If Apple's the offender then it's "please, we need to negotiate".
Of course, Google could always offer a mutual "no sue" deal - that would benefit everyone (except the patent lawyers of course - but they can all go to hell).

In general, I think the whole thing is stupid, and the sole winners are the lawyers, but surely you have to admit that Samsung were extracting the urine a bit too far with the shape and general look of their older phones. I've seen a number of Samsung phones that at first glance I would take to be an iPhone 3GS. No other company went quite so far. For instance, HTC phones from ~2 years ago clearly can't be mistaken for an iPhone.

Added the word "older" into that quote because I'd argue vehemently that the latest gear looks nothing like a 3GS (and you note Samsung aren't copying the 4/4S look ). I'm going to agree with you though in that Samsung have been pretty lazy wrt design (again until recently) and other people like HTC and Sony have been far more innovative. The accusations of copying the iPad design though don't square with me at all.

Is it just my (admittedly biased as hell) reading of the article, or is it the case that the only place that Apple's legal leeches get a favourable hearing is in the good ole US of A?

PS, did Tim Cook's phone remind him to call the vet? (one for all the Now Show fans out there)

[freedomzero]

I bet Microsoft must be laughing all the way during the case.

[martian_aphid]

shaithis is right, this whole ridiculous cirlce or lawsuits only serves to fill the pockets of lawyers with literally billions of pounds - that's why these cases are continually coming because currently making a filing is as good as setting a court date, and that means hundred of billable hours for lawyers. What lawyer is going to say there's not a case to be had when win or lose they are going to be walking alway with pockets filled. There needs to be a system of properly assessing cases and harshly throwing out rubbish cases rather than letting every garbage case run to trial.