Apple Wins Big in Lawsuit against Samsung: What it Means for Consumers

Apple recently won a patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung, a battle that has been going on for over a year. Apple claiming that Samsung incorporated iPhone technology and design in their latest smartphones and tablets filed a patent infringement lawsuit for $2.5 billion. Samsung countersued Apple for $400 million, but their countersuit was thrown out in court after ruling in Apple’s favor, ordering Samsung to pay $1.5 billion to Apple.

In addition to Apple claiming over a billion dollars of Samsung’s money, they are also claiming certain Samsung phones that are similar to the iPhone, ordering these devices to be pulled off the market. These devices include Samsung’s Galaxy S 4G, Galaxy S2, Galaxy S2 Skyrocket, Galaxy S2 Epic 4G, Galaxy S Showcase, Droid Charge and Galaxy Prevail. Apple is said to have been granted an injunction banning Samsung’s tablet, the Galaxy Tab 10.1, a device that infringed upon the iPad.

So what does that mean for consumers and people who have these devices already? Brandon Sims, a Galaxy S2 owner, has been wondering what the change would do to his phone and phone plan. “I hope I don’t have to buy a whole new phone,” states Sims, “… I just got this one.” The lawsuit will not have an effect on phone plans and phones that have already been on the market, even though such devices such as the Galaxy tab 10.1 will be discontinued.

Samsung still plans to battle it out with Apple, resulting in a lawsuit that could last for years. However, it will have a major effect on American consumers and their wallets in the near future. Samsung stated after the court ruled in Apple’s favor that the “verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer.” With Apple winning 6 out of the 7 patents, including complete rights over the pinch to zoom feature, and the slide to unlock feature among others, Samsung, as well as Android, Nokia, HTC, and future companies that plan to venture into the smartphone market will have to work around the software in order for it not to seem as an Apple copycat, or contribute in licensing fees to use Apple’s patented design and OS. All of this ultimately means that consumers will be paying more for devices due to the new software that has to be created.

“I’m sure Apple has other companies on their heels now.” stated Craig Young, a former UWG student who was not surprised by the outcome of the lawsuit. With the new release of the iPhone 5 on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 the company on its heels may very well be Samsung, claiming that if Apple plans on using long-term evolution (LTE) in the new iPhone5, featuring a speedy fourth generation wireless network, which Samsung hold patents under, they will sue. If Samsung was to win the lawsuit against Apple it could lead to a US ban of the iPhone 5 and the new, smaller version of the iPad coming out in October.

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