Does Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s victory in its patents
trial against Samsung mean fewer options for consumers so far as smartphones
go? Will Samsung's apprehensions of a monopolistic marketplace come true?
On Friday a nine-member jury, giving their verdict at
the end of a trial in a federal court in San Jose, said that Samsung had
infringed on seven out of eight Apple patents. hey also said that the Korean
company had copied designs of the iPhone and iPad. Samsung has vowed to appeal
the jury verdict.
"This decision should not be allowed to stand
because it would discourage innovation and limit the rights of consumers to
make choices for themselves," Samsung lead lawyer John Quinn said. He
argued that the judge or an appeals court should overturn the verdict.
According to analysts, what the ruling will do is to
create a fear psychosis among those running on Google's Android, which is seen
as the biggest rival to Apple's iOS.
The current war between Apple and other handset makers
over patent infringements is being seen as a proxy war between Apple and
Google, both of which are fighting for control of the mobile market.
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Google's Android operating system has spread faster
than a virus, and has come to the dominant software with millions of apps
available for download, many of which are free. Android also has the advantage
that the operating software can be tweaked and customised to suit a
manufacturer’s requirements.
Apple's ecosystem is totally closed and proprietorial
and many of the apps available for download on iTunes have to be necessarily
paid for.
Apple has even accused Google of provoking its OEM
partners to copy its designs.
With the current ruling however other companies may be
reluctant to fall in with Google's wishes.
On Friday, shares in Google end up 0.3 percent up at
$678.63, that of Apple was up marginally at $663.22, while shares in Samsung
ended up close to 1 percent.
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