A federal jury ruled on Friday that Samsung has to pay more than $1 billion in damages for infringing on five Apple patents. In an “internal memo” released today, Samsung says it will counter-sue in order to protect the company.
As the two companies fight patent battles around the globe, Samsung is putting hope in the fact that the ruling has been different in similar cases abroad. According to the memo:
“The NDCA [Northern District of California] verdict starkly contrasts decisions made by courts in a number of other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and Korea, which have previously ruled that we did not copy Apple’s designs. These courts also recognized our arguments concerning our standards patents.”
As shares of Samsung Electronics tumbled 7.5% on Monday, Apple’s hit an all-time high of $682.07. In addition, Apple produced a list of eight Samsung products it wants banned from sale in the United States.
The memo also reveals Samsung tried to negotiate with Apple in order to avoid going to trial. The company also calls out Apple for prioritizing litigation over innovation.
“History has shown there has yet to be a company that has won the hearts and minds of consumers and achieved continuous growth, when its primary means to competition has been the outright abuse of patent law, not the pursuit of innovation.”
