The final arguments are done, the final accusations
have been made. It’s now over to the jury, who have been entrusted with the
tough task of delivering verdict in a crucial patents case that will have some
bearing on the two technology giants.
On Tuesday, Apple Inc.(NASDAQ:AAPL) lawyers finished
off with their final comments, sticking to their accusations that Korean
handset maker Samsung had copied the designs of its iPhones and iPads when it
realised that it was the only way it could get a leg-up in the smartphone
market.
Samsung's lawyers instead of hurling similar
allegations at Apple said that passing a verdict in favour of the Cupertino
company would create a monopolistic situation in the market that would stifle
competition.
"Rather than competing in the marketplace, Apple
is seeking a competitive edge in the courtroom," Samsung lawyer Charles
Verhoeven said. "(Apple thinks) it's entitled to having a monopoly on a
rounded rectangle with a large screen. It's amazing really."
The 9-member jury will begin deliberations on
Wednesday.
The two companies are fighting court battles in about
a dozen courts across four continents but the one being fought in a federal
court in San Jose in California is the one being keenly watched by the world.
It has important ramifications for both the parties
concerned.
Apple is seeking more than 42 billion in damages from
Samsung and a U.S. ban on the sale of its Galaxy devices. Samsung on its part
has sued Apple for infringing on its wireless technologies patents and has
sought more than $400 million in damages.
At the heart of is the struggle for dominance in the
smartphone market that has been estimated at upwards of 4200 billion.
Samsung has emerged as the global leader in
smartphones powered by its Android-based Galaxy series, while Apple holds
undisputed sway in the tablet PC segment with its iPads.
A defeat for Samsung will also have a spin-off effect
on Google's Android, which is the operating system on which Samsung is riding
to glory.
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