US
District Court Judge Lucy Koh issued an order clearing the way for Samsung to
restart sales of the Tab 10.1 tablets that were halted while it dueled with
Apple in a high-stakes trial.
A jury
declared on August 24 that Samsung should pay Apple $1.049 billion in damages
for illegally copying iPhone and iPad features, in one of the biggest patent
cases in decades -- a verdict that could have huge market repercussions.
However,
the jury agreed that Samsung did not abuse design patents that were the grounds
for a temporary ban on Galaxy Tab 10.1 imports that Koh put in place at Apple's
behest in June.
"The
sole basis for the June 26 preliminary injunction no longer exists," Koh
wrote in her ruling. "The court finds it proper to dissolve the
injunction."
In a
statement, Samsung welcomed the ruling, saying it "vindicates our position
that there was no infringement of Apple's design patent and that an injunction
was not called for."
However,
Koh denied a request by Samsung for $2.6 million that Apple had posted as a
bond to "pay the costs and damages sustained by any party found to have
been wrongfully enjoined or restrained."
The
court will hold onto the bond cash pending resolution of post-verdict legal
motions that could bear on whether the ban was a wrongful restraint.
Koh is
on record noting that the August jury verdict in her San Jose, California,
courtroom did not represent a "final ruling" in the case since it was
being appealed.
Samsung
reacted by saying the verdict was "a loss" for consumers and that
Apple had "manipulated" the patent system.
Meanwhile,
Samsung said Tuesday that it had added Apple's new iPhone 5 to a list of
products it believes infringe its patents in a second case the two smartphone
giants are fighting in the same California court.
"We
have always preferred to compete in the marketplace with our innovative
products, rather than in courtrooms," Samsung said.
"However,
Apple continues to take aggressive legal measures that will limit market
competition. Under these circumstances, we have little choice but to take the
steps necessary to protect our innovations," it added.
The new
iPhone went on sale around the world last month and enjoyed a record launch
weekend, with sales topping five million.
Samsung
and Apple -- respectively the world's number one and two smartphone makers --
have been at loggerheads over dozens of patent lawsuits in 10 nations, accusing
each other of copying technologies and designs.
The
August verdict in California affected a range of Samsung products, including
some of its popular Galaxy smartphones.
Samsung
has steadfastly denied the patent infringement charges by Apple, claiming it
developed its devices independently. It unsuccessfully argued that Apple
infringed on its wireless patents.
-source: msn.com
No comments:
Post a Comment