One thing we all know is Apple is serious about their business. They pump out patents like there’s no tomorrow and are not squeamish to go and file a lawsuit against any other companies that seem to be infringing on one of Apple’s many patents. The cult like following of Apple in their garage days up through the 80s and 90s are over and since the release of the iPod, Apple has grown in leaps and bounds in more than one way. Apple is certainly one of the computer / tech giants. With stocks just recently over $600 a share, we can’t really argue all that much with it.
On Friday August 24th 2012 in California, Apple has taken a victory over Samsung, not with a new device, but in a lawsuit. Samsung has been ordered to pay $1.05 billion the to tech giant. The lawsuit began back in April of 2011 which accused Samsung of blatantly copying the Apple iPhone and iPad with the Galaxy line of devices. The damages encompass devices like the Captivate, Galaxy SII, the Vibrant, Epic 4G and others and while Samsung was able to fend off some of the flurry of infringement allegations with their own patents, they were not enough to sway the judgement in their favor.
Read Apple CEO Tim Cook‘s message to Apple employees brought to you by 9to5mac:
“Today was an important day for Apple and for innovators everywhere.
Many of you have been closely following the trial against Samsung in San Jose for the past few weeks. We chose legal action very reluctantly and only after repeatedly asking Samsung to stop copying our work. For us this lawsuit has always been about something much more important than patents or money. It’s about values. We value originality and innovation and pour our lives into making the best products on earth. And we do this to delight our customers, not for competitors to flagrantly copy.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the jury who invested their time in listening to our story. We were thrilled to finally have the opportunity to tell it. The mountain of evidence presented during the trial showed that Samsung’s copying went far deeper than we knew.
The jury has now spoken. We applaud them for finding Samsung’s behavior willful and for sending a loud and clear message that stealing isn’t right.
I am very proud of the work that each of you do.
Today, values have won and I hope the whole world listens.
Tim”
source: 9to5mac.com
