Samsung statement after verdict makes no sense

Posted on Aug 24 2012 - 11:35pm by MT Wewerka

So by now, you’ve probably seen that Apple was overwhelming victorious in it’s patent trial against Samsung, as the jury awarded Apple $1.04 Billion in damages. After the verdict was read, Samsung released a few statements. Such as:

The verdict, according to Samsung, “will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices.”

I’m little confused by this statement, as it’s entirely the opposite of what should happen. If companies can no longer copy or resemble Apple’s devices, they’ll be forced to create new and unique devices and designs, inside and out. This basically solves two problems, by differentiating their products from Apple consumers will have a greater variety from which to choose and companies will be forced to innovate by creating new icons, menus and more. As far potentially raising prices, this is not true. Just because Samsung and other OEM’s are forced to change their product’s designs and think outside the box, it doesn’t mean try need spend more money than they current are, R&D is a necessary cost and should never be passed onto the consumer. HTC has been creating gorgeous devices like the One X and it hasn’t cost them or the consumer any more than their older devices.

This statement by Samsung just seems to be fueled by anger, which I can fully understand, were I in Samsung’s lawyers shoes. While I commend Samsung for sticking to their guns and filing an appeal, I think they need to handle this situation with gusto and determination. Something like this:

“While we’re obviously disappointed with the jury’s decision, one that we fully intend to appeal, if in the end we’re forced to abide by the ruling, Samsung is fully prepared to produce some of the industry’s most innovative and captivating devices going forward.”

I’m not a lawyer, but you get the point.

  • iBagwan

    Totally agree! Apple’s competition has flailed along, trying to copy Apple and ride their coat tails. They did that because Apple caught them off guard and they can’t afford to put 4 years of R&D in to innovate on their own so they copy to stay in the game. Okay, I understand that but it’s been 5 years since the iPhone came out, where is the competitive innovation? Samsung is just now showing a little originality in the SIII but only because they’ve ridden the copy cash cow long enough that they could invest a little of that ill gotten gain. Now is the time for some company in innovate the heck out of it and come up with something completely different that competes on even ground. Windows has a sleek OS and it is completely different. True, they haven’t really made any head way but at least they’re trying to be original! Competition is great for everyone and it will push Apple even harder to keep innovating but let it be true innovation, not just imitation.

    Samsung deserves everything they get and more. They are known as copycats in the industry, just ask Rim. Apple met multiple times with the heads of Samsung asking them not to copy because they didn’t want it to go to court. Google even asked Samsung to change its designs because it looked too similar to Apple’s trade dress and Samsung ignored them.

    No one complains when low life companies get busted doing knockoffs of designer handbags or sports shoes because they understand that they are thieves. Samsung has reduced themselves to low life thieves profiting on the backs of others. Don’t buy things from thieves, you end up with an inferior copy, it makes you look cheap and you only encourage the thieves to keep stealing…