Samsung Ordered to Pay $120 Million to Apple

On Friday, a jury in the U.S. ordered South Korea-based Samsung Electronics to pay Apple Inc nearly $120 million, which was far less than what Apple had sought. The decision marked a big loss for the maker of iPhone in the latest round of their patent litigation that has spanned the globe.

During the trial of one month in San Jose, California, Apple had accused Samsung of violating smartphone feature patents including its universal search, while the South Korea company denied any wrongdoing.

On Friday, a jury found that Samsung had infringed on two of the patents owned by Apple.

The two mobile device makers have litigated around the globe for the past three years. In 2012, jurors awarded Apple close to $930 million in San Jose. However, Apple could not persuade the judge to issue an injunction that was permanent against the selling of phones made by Samsung inside the U.S.

Some observers in the industry see the legal disputes as a way by Apple to cut back on the rapid growth of smartphones based on the Android platform by Google. Samsung adopted the operating platform much more than any other smartphone maker.

The most recent case covers five patents owned by Apple that were not part of the trial in 2012 and covers features on the iPhone such as the search and slide to unlock technology.

Apple is also seeking a ban on the sales of several phones made by Samsung including its Galaxy SIII while asking for $2 billion worth of damages.

Now the Judge will make a decision as to whether a sales ban will also be issued besides the $120 million judgment, but most people feel that is unlikely to happen.

Apple said the verdict reinforced their stance that Samsung had willfully stole Apple ideas and had copied their products.

Representatives from Samsung were not available for comments.

The shortfall for Apple in damages led some industry experts to question whether the litigation involving patents amongst the largest players in the technology industry was viable strategy.

Other trials in Europe are also ongoing and results of those will be followed closely.