The
tech industry is still coming to terms with the jury verdict handed out against
Samsung a couple of weeks back related to the patent infringement suits filed
by Apple. The jury awarded Apple $1.05
million but nothing is yet final as Samsung is expected to file an appeal. Many believe, however, that Apple is actually
waging a war against Google’s Android and doing it through its OEM partners. And there is no better Android device to
target first than the brand that poses the biggest threat to Apple.
In
light of the speculations raised on the impact of the verdict on Samsung, Google released an official statement claiming that most of the
patent claims don’t relate to the core of the Android OS. To reassure its Android partners, Google
likewise indicated that all players in the industry are building upon ideas
that have been around for decades and they are committed to giving consumers
innovative and affordable products and will not want anything to limit
that.
Even
with statements being issued from both sides of the fence, the uncertainty
still hangs in the balance for the entire tech industry. If the jury’s decision is upheld, what will
it mean for all other Android smartphones and Android tablets
in the market? Are manufacturers and
developers now scrambling to patent every minute detail of design and every
single touchscreen gesture to protect itself from similar suits?
For
many watching on the sidelines, this court battle between Apple and Samsung is
just a forefront of a war between open source and proprietary systems. If Apple eventually wins the first round of
this war, it will continue to knock on the door of every Android smartphone and
every Android tablet that comes close to using the same controls and features
as the iPhone and the iPad. Though a
clear victor will not be evident for years considering all the legal options
available, it is considered a landmark case that will serve as precedent to
similar cases in the future. A win by
Apple will also mean that tech companies will be paying them licensing fees for
the use of proprietary systems meaning higher cost of development and subsequently
higher cost for consumers. Higher
development costs mean less innovation and even less competition. Is it possible that even in the near term,
Microsoft ends up as the winner in this war?
On the
other hand, a victory by Samsung could mean bringing Apple’s feet to the
ground. While Apple is recognized as an
innovator, Samsung likewise has counter suits filed against Apple for designs
and features that resemble some of their own.
Every single detail of the iPhone and the iPad is not exactly original. It will also mean that every tech company
will have free rein to copy an Apple gadget – not much of a departure from the
current environment though. More
competition means cheaper products and more options for consumers. Regardless of the consequences to the
Cupertino company, it could mean the industry may learn to share more and play
nice. From a consumer’s vantage point,
that wouldn’t be so bad now, would it?
Author: Louise Miller
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