The epic intellectual fight between two technology majors, Apple and Samsung, has taken another drastic turn, this time in favor of Samsung. U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh cut from $1.05 billion to $600 million the damages Samsung must pay in the Apple Vs Samsung lawsuit, ruling that the damages awarded for a handful of products in the case must be recalculated in a new trial.
Apple and Samsung have been engulfed in a complex IP battle that’s been fought in several countries since 2010. The U.S. portion of their legal feud went to trial in San Jose, California, in August where the original $1.05 billion award was set by a jury comprising nine members. In fact, Judge Lucy Koh has also rejected rejected Apple’s request to increase the original award and initially upheld the jury’s decision. So, why the twist of fate now?
It seems the initial assessment done by the jury used methods that the jury was instructed not to use. It was found that the award amount was improperly calculated and hence, Koh has granted Samsung’s request for a new trial to reexamine and determine a new award amount for Apple.
“The Court has identified an impermissible legal theory on which the jury based its award, and cannot reasonably calculate the amount of excess while effectuating the intent of the jury,” Koh wrote in the 27-page ruling. “Though the Court gave a curative instruction, explicitly telling the jury that it was not allowed to apply that theory, the amount of the award made plain that the jury had applied the impermissible theory anyway.”
Samsung’s Galaxy Prevail, as pictured above, is one of the contested products in Apple’s patent infringement battle with Samsung. Other products involved in the Apple Vs Samsung lawsuit patent infringement case include the Droid Charge, Galaxy Tab and the Nexus S 4G.
The Galaxy Prevail has been the biggest concern for Samsung in the Apple Vs Samsung lawsuit as far as US markets are concerned. While the jury determined it only violated Apple’s utility patents in the case, it awarded a hefty $57,867,383 — 40 percent of Samsung’s profits from the handset, according to Apple’s calculations.
A new verdict will be announced after all assessments are done again and evidences evaluated.
