Legal battles between South Korean Electronics company, Samsung and California based Apple are not new to anyone with any level of interest in technology related news. Apple had filed various lawsuits against Samsung in different countries for infringing on its hardware and software patents. Through these legal proceedings, Apple is either looking to impose a ban on various Samsung products or receive monetary compensation.
Already Apple has won a patents case against Samsung as result of that South Korean electronics giant had to pay them a hefty amount to the tune of $1.049 Billion won earlier this year. Although the total is huge, many in the industry saw it as a comparatively small price to pay given the revenues, profits and future sales Samsung will see in the mobile sector moving forward.
This legal battle between the two companies still seems to be far from over, the next court hearing will take place on December 6. However, it seems that Samsung, who have seemingly been on the loosing end of the legal battle have figured a way out following the latest cross-licensing deal between Taiwan based smartphone manufacturer, HTC and Apple that has since taken place.
Legal representatives of Samsung have filed a request in the court of law, which states that Apple should provide details of its 10 year patent cross-licensing contract between the Cupertino based company and HTC. The reason for requesting this cross-licensing contract is still unclear, but industry analysts believe that there could be three reasons why Samsung has demanded the copy of the agreement. These possibilities include:
– Courts generally hesitate to impose a permanent ban on products of a company if a cross licensing deal is viable;
– The South Korean company perhaps wants to know whether or not the cross-licensing deal between Apple and HTC includes licensing of “holy patents” such as its “unique user experience” hardware design and functioning of its touch screen that Apple never gives out to its rivals; or
– To work out a similar deal between Apple and Samsung deal by presenting Apple and HTC contract as an example.
It remains to be seen what will actually come of all this, however the HTC agreement certainly adds a glimmer of hope for the innovative Korean firm.
Source: Android Authority
[VIDEO] DARPA’s Three-Fingered iRobot Prototype Picks up 50 Pound Items with Ease and can Take a Serious Beating
Walmart Focusing on its Mobile App to Cater to the Increasing Number of Smartphone Shoppers During this Holiday Season
Lunches So Good Kids Can’t Ignore Them
Invigorating Ginger Smoothie
The U.K.’s Youngest Parents Ever
The new hair Jennifer Lawrence