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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

A Patent Troll Named Apple





Apple Successfully Blocks Sales of Samsung Galaxy Tab in Europe.

Apple has always been a company that is not afraid to go after anyone they feel is infringing on their products. However recent actions have put the entire electronics world on edge. Between January 2008 and May 2010 Apple filed 350 cases with the US Trademark office alone. They sued HTC in 2010 for 20 patent infringements, Amazon in 2011 for the use of the term "App Store", even New York City in 2008 for attempting to file a trademark for a "stylized apple logo". Now its Samsung's turn.

The Apple vs. Samsung battle began in April of this year when Apple filed a complaint that a range of Samsung products from the Nexus S to the Galaxy Tab copied the shapes and designs of Apple products. This was of course followed swiftly by a countersuit from Samsung. Over the next few months litigation has been traded back and forth between the two technology giants. Earlier in the week Apple struck a major blow by getting a German court to block sales of its Galaxy Tab 10.1 to the ENTIRE continent of Europe with the exception of the Netherlands, all without Samsung defending itself. In Germany a plaintiff must only prove that an infringement occured to begin an injunction, with no requirement to inform the other party so Sammy woke up to find itself behind the 8-Ball. Samsung is now not allowed to import any more Galaxy Tabs into Europe or it will face fines of $350,000 and the imprisonment of its management team! Samsung quickly responded in its defense:

"Samsung is disappointed with the court’s decision and we intend to act immediately to defend our intellectual property rights through the ongoing legal proceedings in Germany and will continue to actively defend these rights throughout the world. The request for injunction was filed with no notice to Samsung, and the order was issued without any hearing or presentation of evidence from Samsung.
We will take all necessary measures to ensure Samsung’s innovative mobile communications devices are available to customers in Europe and around the world. This decision by the court in Germany in no way influences other legal proceedings filed with the courts in Europe and elsewhere."


I for one understand Apple's need to defend its products. Mobile electronics is a fast moving and cut throat field, a company needs to defend their technology. However this might be a case of biting the hand that feeds you, Apple procures screens, electronic componants, and memory from Samsung. Yes they are suing the company that makes the parts for the devices Apple sells. Patents were invented to keep other companies from stealing technology and ideas not to be used to slow down competitors and waste time and energy in useless court proceedings. I am sure this is not the last we have heard from this battle and whether or not this ruling will affect sales of the Galaxy Tab in other areas of the world is not known yet. What is known is Apple is now moving on to other competitors, namely Motorola and their Xoom tablet. At this rate every company that makes a square shaped mobile device with a touch screen had better watch their back, Apple is coming for you!

7 comments:

  1. Just an awesome write up josh great

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  2. ..and what exactly is wrong in standing up to companies who can't deliver ... but are constantly stealing ideas from the best in the business ?
    Josh , just concentrate on writing what's best in android world instead of being hateful toward Apple ... just saying... :)

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  3. Aha... Good Luck in your new venture !

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  4. The article is an opinion piece and factual. We will write what we think here. Ty for your input.

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  5. Asia I am always behind companies defending their property but Apple is currently suing amazon, HTC, Samsung,and Moto. Using your vast resources to bully smaller companies is just not cool. : p

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  6. Sorry Josh , I don't see it that way ... stealing and then portraying yourself as victim is even LESS COOL... It's a mean world out there ... Brilliant technological ideas translate into money... Please don't look at all these companies as victims of the Apple.... they far from it and you know it . Besides, they all have enough
    lawsuits against others . Anyway , since I'm not associated with any of these money making firms , I don't really care ... I'm just trying to be objective and .... I I love Apple :)

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  7. True Asia and yes I know where your loyalties lie lol

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