Court Verdict Issued: Apple Lays Smack down on Samsung

The damages are being done. The phones in question: Continuum, Droid Charge, Exhibit 4G, Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Tab, The Gem, Indulge, Infuse 4G, Mesmerie, Nexus S 4G, Replenish, and Vibrant were found to have illegally ripped off Apple’s software interface concepts—including bounce-back scrolling and other subsequent gestures. Not only that, phones like the Galaxy S, S 4G, Infuse 4G, and Vibrant among others were found to infringe upon Apple’s “front trade dress”. The Galaxy Tab gets off for the design, if that’s any moral victory.

The courts have ruled that Samsung “willingly infringed” upon many of the innovations and patented technologies invented by Apple. Ruling in the way of intentional intellectual property, Samsung will now be forced to pay Apple over $1 billion in damages. According to a statement made to CNET, “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 choose, 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.”

Many question how this will affect Apple’s “hipster status” as a brand with a dedicated cult-like following now, considering how Apple has gone as imperialistic as ever with ownership of these mobile technologies. A senior executive at the Korean electronics maker has called the verdict the “absolutely worst scenario.” The Wall Street Journal reports that we are in for an “Apple tax” on all our phones, making services more expensive.

No word on how this lawsuit will impact phone services as we know it, but it will certainly ripple through the market.