“We are delighted with the resounding victory from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which found that two of Apple’s patents should never have been issued,” the company said. “We have spent decades developing some of the most revolutionary products and services in the technology industry, and today’s decision proves that we did not infringe on any of Apple’s patents. Today’s decision is a win for consumer choice and puts competition back where it belongs — in the marketplace, not in the courtroom.”
The main point of contention in this trial — and the same one which Apple received a favorable ruling for back in 2014 — was a “quick links” feature that allowed a mobile OS to convert files and numbers to clickable links. Though this seems like a small feature, Samsung’s alleged theft and misuse of the quick link tech comprised $99 million of the would-have-been $120 million ransom.
“[The ruling is] a clear signal that Apple is not invincible and that alternative operating systems are here to stay,” Bradley Hulbert, a Chicago-based patent lawyer, told Reuters. “The marketing and psychological benefits for Samsung are huge.”
