In a major decision, a federal jury in California has given its verdict in favor of Apple for the wilful violations of its patents against the South Korean company Samsung. The court has awarded Apple more than $1 billion in damages.
The jury has written in its verdict that it did not recommend awarding Samsung any money in its counterclaims that Apple had violated some of its patents.
Apple has praised the court for sending a loud and clear message that stealing can't be a right.
Meanwhile Samsung has said that the verdict should be viewed as a loss for the American consumer.
Commenting on the verdict, Apple has said that the mountain of evidence presented during the trial showed that Samsung’s copying went far deeper than even we knew.
Apple had asked for $2.7 billion in damages, claiming that Samsung "ripped off" its iPad and iPhone designs and software for scores of Samsung devices, including the Nexus S 4G and S II.
However Samsung has countered it and said that it will lead to fewer choices, less innovation and potentially higher prices.
Samsung counter sued Apple for infringing on five of its patents and asked for $519 million.
As a result of the ruling, Apple could request an injunction against the Samsung devices that were found to have infringed on its patents. That means Samsung could be forced to take those gadgets off the market until they are changed.
However, the jury offered one spot of good news for Samsung in ruling that its Galaxy Tab tablets did not infringe on Apple's design patents for the iPad.
Armed with loads of significant patents now deemed valid in court, Apple could go on to sue other companies - namely, Android maker Google and its hardware partners.
(With inputs from IANS)
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