Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the stupendous trade between the Dodgers and the Red Sox, McKayla Maroney being totally hot (in certain states only), or the great Neil Armstrong, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
Now that we’ve all had a weekend to think about it, I wanted to get your take on the Apple vs. Samsung verdict. If you haven’t been keeping score at home, Samsung got its ass kicked and will have to pay Apple more than $1-billion in damages. The jury found that Samsung infringed on several of Apple’s software and design patents. While the software patents are pretty specific, the design patents are vague enough that it’s somewhat surprising that Samsung lost so decisively. Some people believe this is all the result of a broken patent system. Others believe that Apple was just protecting its IP rights. Some pundits feel that the decision will stifle innovation in mobile tech (unless the innovators want to shell out money to Apple). What say you?!?
As for me, after a weekend of deliberation I’ve come to the conclusion that this is all stupid. The trial was an enormous waste of money. Design patents are shockingly dumb. The jury failed. Samsung’s lawyers failed harder.
The decision was fantastic for Apple and there are several instances where I believe that the company was in the right. That said, I believe that it also got several gift decisions (like Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.) and that the verdict is bad for mobile tech. The ruling makes it harder and/or more expensive for companies to compete with Apple, which will result in consumers having less choices.
Anyway, that’s my take. Now it’s your turn! What are your thoughts on the Apple vs. Samsung verdict?
I think while Samsung was on the shit end of the stick there is nothing they’d change about patent law since they take advantage of the current and past codification. Dog and pony show.
That’s an expensive dog and pony show this time around. Think broader though. If Apple was able to kick the crap out of its biggest rival in the mobile-phone space, think about what it means for the HTCs, LGs, etc. of the world.
Of course I understand the implications to the smaller OEMs but I will not be so naive to think that Samsung thinks there is a problem with the patent statutes.
I’m not advocating that patent law in its current form is optimal but that the players aren’t as appalled as you and I are. Expensive? Yes. Considering the scope and supply chain though, I think Samsung will be ok.
I gotcha. I don’t recall saying that Samsung has a problem with the system though. It’s just bad for mobile tech and consumers.
Agreed
Stay safe tonight/tomorrow. I’ve got some leftover hurricane supplies if you need them. We got the outer bands yesterday and today, but it was nothing. I was kind of disgruntled that my comcast service crapped out yesterday (all of it), but I still can’t believe people boarded up for this weak-ass tropical storm.
-M
Should be OK. I have a case of Merlot in my kit :)
by the way….thanks to you and your wife that Gleim material helped out a lot with FAR.
The real winners: lawyers!
-M