Samsung Agrees To Pay Apple $548 Million Over Smartphone Patents (theverge.com)

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Samsung Agrees To Pay Apple $548 Million Over Smartphone Patents (theverge.com)

Posted by Soulskill on Friday December 4, 2015 @01:57AM from the system-and-method-for-generating-half-a-billion-in-extra-revenue dept.

An anonymous reader writes: After years of legal wrangling over smartphone patents, Apple and Samsung appear to have reached an agreement. The two companies released a joint statement (PDF) saying Samsung will pay Apple $548 million before December 14th. Apple must send them an invoice before they'll pay. It's not a complete stand-down; even their agreement contains disagreement. "The statement notes that Samsung 'continues to reserve all rights to obtain reimbursement from Apple,' although in the same document, Apple disputes these rights. ... Not only does the joint statement reserve Samsung's right to take some of this money back in any future cases, but this summer, the South Korean company announced it would be requesting a U.S. Supreme Court review of its legal case." At the very least, it's a big step toward resolving the mountain of patent issues between the companies.

33 of 64 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Well by pruedz · 2015-12-04 01:59 · Score: 1

The only comment I have about this is: PJ, please! Bring us Groklaw back! I miss Groklaw so much!
1. Re:Well by Anonymous Coward · 2015-12-04 02:18 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  They didn't kill it. They renamed the program and moved it out of public scrutiny like they have with every other illegal program that's been "killed".
Another win for Apple by Anonymous Coward · 2015-12-04 02:02 · Score: 5, Funny

Glad to see this pioneering and innovative company is finally getting paid for all their hard work.
Samsung should try doing something *original* instead of *stealing* from the genius that is Apple. Quite honestly, they got off easy with this settlement. Samsung should be out of business for such despicable practices.
1. Re:Another win for Apple by Anonymous Coward · 2015-12-04 02:31 · Score: 1
  
  I love people like you. I can see the angst in your faces when you see me use my note 5. The awesome stylus and the wireless charging really get your panties in a wad.
2. Re:Another win for Apple by danomac · 2015-12-04 11:00 · Score: 1
  
  Time after time Apple has copied Samsung's designs (including the rounded rectangle that Apple got their panties into a twist over), but now that Samsung is copying the iPhone's worst features (no SD slot, no user-replaceable battery, etc.), even on the flagship Note line, they deserve to be spanked. ;)
  I read the other day that Samung's mobile division revenue has fallen over the last couple of quarters. I doubt that's a coincidence, maybe they'll go back to making more sane phones. When my phone was up for renewal, I switched to the LG G4, which still has a removeable battery and microSD slot... I doubt I'm the only one that made a switch.
  Also, the stealing goes both ways. I mean, Apple surely didn't invent that notification swipe down menu that was missing from their phones. That was taken from Android.
3. Re:Another win for Apple by rtb61 · 2015-12-04 13:35 · Score: 1
  
  Yep, the fine ain't big enough for Samsung, should be ten times that for them being dick douche bags and making what were meant to be premium products into deposible products that can not be sold effectively at trade in time or that you have to through away or spend something like five times the cost of the battery to replace the battery and as a bonus you have to pay about triple the cost of the memory to get a unit with more memory, real dick move Samsung. Never to forget their truly crappy software update schedules. Google's pick for it's gear is just as bad, so Google why the fuck the hate on people being able to readily replace their batteries or being able to upgrade their devices and keep them going, what the fuck the hate on waterproofing and increasing the durability of products, why the fuck the hate on selling used products because yeah you can not sell a phone with an embedded dead battery.
  
  --
  Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
4. Re:Another win for Apple by Pseudonym · 2015-12-05 14:37 · Score: 1
  
  Damn, I wish Slashdot had +1, Poe
  
  --
  sub f{($f)=@_;print"$f(q{$f});";}f(q{sub f{($f)=@_;print"$f(q{$f});";}f});
Damn, that's a lot for rounded corners by Anonymous Coward · 2015-12-04 02:22 · Score: 1

Gotta love the US patent system.
1. Re:Damn, that's a lot for rounded corners by Anonymous Coward · 2015-12-04 02:31 · Score: 1
  
  Particularly when Samsung's R&D did the real work, and their plants made the components Apple use.
  What I find most remarkable, is how Apple have managed to remove Sony's blue-prints from all court records. Which show designs of iPhone style devices long before Apple started their own work on these products. Sony was first, Apple have their designs and corporate docs, yet whenever these are presented as a defense, the judge (same one incidentally) strikes them from the record. Hmmm, why oh why?
2. Re:Damn, that's a lot for rounded corners by Anonymous Coward · 2015-12-04 03:22 · Score: 1
  
  Only anti-patent morons constantly complain about rounded corners, which can only be covered by a design patent. This settlement is about Samsung infringing utility patents, which cover innovative functionality in hardware and software, not just the appearance.
3. Re:Damn, that's a lot for rounded corners by Dragonslicer · 2015-12-04 05:54 · Score: 1
  
  Only anti-patent morons constantly complain about rounded corners, which can only be covered by a design patent. This settlement is about Samsung infringing utility patents, which cover innovative functionality in hardware and software, not just the appearance.
  I haven't read anything about the agreement to see which patents it covers, but there was at least one design patent that was part of the lawsuits.
Obviously the post is intended to be funny by frnic · 2015-12-04 02:26 · Score: 1

Since it lists all the ways this agreement is not an agreement and ends with:
"At the very least, it's a big step toward resolving the mountain of patent issues between the companies."
I can already see it by Rik+Sweeney · 2015-12-04 02:34 · Score: 4, Funny

Apple: "That'll teach you to infringe our patents. Now give us the money."
Samsung: "Fine, here you go."
(Hands over check for $548 million)
Apple: "Thanks. Oh, by the way, how is the manufacturing of our new processors coming along?"
Samsung: "Oh, erm... Our running costs have gone up, so we're going to have to pass the increase onto you, I'm afraid."
Apple: "How much has it gone up by?"
Samsung: "$548 million"
Apple: "Fine, here you go."
(Returns check)

--
Summation 2
1. Re:I can already see it by Movi · 2015-12-04 03:44 · Score: 1
  
  Samsung Mobile and Samsung IC are different companies (but under one mothership mind you). Apple wouldn't dare piss off the #1 producer of Flash chips in the world
2. Re:I can already see it by tlhIngan · 2015-12-04 07:56 · Score: 1
  
  Samsung Mobile and Samsung IC are different companies (but under one mothership mind you). Apple wouldn't dare piss off the #1 producer of Flash chips in the world
  It goes both ways, actually. Because Samsung doesn't want to piss off a major component purchaser either.
  Because parts have a long lead time, and if you're ramped up to produce 10M flash chips a month and you piss off Apple, that's 10M flash chips that's going to be sitting in your warehouse. And that's not a good thing because it means you have excess capacity (bad on a fab), and excess inventory which means you have to sell your parts at a discount. And a company like Apple probably have enough brokers in the chain that they will purchase all of those parts at the new discounted price.
  In today's world, there's no such thing as "enemies" or "friends". Relationships between companies are more like "it's complicated". Samsung, Apple, Microsoft, Google, and many other companies need, rely, depend, purchase, supply, support and do all sorts of other things with each other. Hell, Apple and Google? They're probably just as much working together as they are competing against each other.
3. Re:I can already see it by Anonymous Coward · 2015-12-04 09:25 · Score: 1
  
  Yep, its a giant corporate centipede with each corporations mouth sown to the next ones butthole.
Samsung and Apple's Plan to Evade Taxes by PopeRatzo · 2015-12-04 02:40 · Score: 5, Interesting

I'm starting to get the notion that these patent lawsuits are a way for big multinationals to further dodge taxes. Not only are civil penalties often deductible, but civil awards are very often not taxable.
So, it's sue me, sue you and can you scratch a little lower on my back, please.

--
You are welcome on my lawn.
1. Re:Samsung and Apple's Plan to Evade Taxes by Carewolf · 2015-12-04 04:08 · Score: 2
  
  I'm starting to get the notion that these patent lawsuits are a way for big multinationals to further dodge taxes. Not only are civil penalties often deductible, but civil awards are very often not taxable.
  If true that would be insane, especially if it also applies to settlements. Companies could just always pay eachother with settlements.
incredible waste of resources by DriveDog · 2015-12-04 02:44 · Score: 4, Insightful

I seriously doubt that intelligent people outside of the patent/legal profession would think any of either of their patents hold any merit. The best invention would be a way to send a message back to those who originally created patent law and tell them how ridiculous, abused, and twisted it is all going to become, so write it very carefully and define it very narrowly.
1. Re:incredible waste of resources by cdrudge · 2015-12-04 03:03 · Score: 2
  
  Why would those that created patent law care? The creators likely were the same group of people that ultimately represented plaintiffs and defendants in patent lawsuit. They created guaranteed continual employment for themselves and for generations to come.
2. Re:incredible waste of resources by thegarbz · 2015-12-04 05:29 · Score: 2
  
  Hey this case alone has kept thousands of lawyers, judges, legal aids, interns, office assistance, and expert witnesses employed for many years.
  Won't someone think of the jobs!
3. Re:incredible waste of resources by rsborg · 2015-12-04 07:22 · Score: 2
  
  I seriously doubt that intelligent people outside of the patent/legal profession would think any of either of their patents hold any merit. The best invention would be a way to send a message back to those who originally created patent law and tell them how ridiculous, abused, and twisted it is all going to become, so write it very carefully and define it very narrowly.
  While the current patent legislation is insane, take a look at all those who benefit from it. You can always see who wants things *they way they are going* by following the money.
  Big corporations, big banks, multinational law firms and their cronies in legislative and judicial branches all prefer the situation as it stands now.
  
  --
  Make sure everyone's vote counts: Verified Voting
4. Re:incredible waste of resources by DriveDog · 2015-12-04 16:07 · Score: 1
  
  Perhaps I should've been more specific—not necessarily Venetians in 1450 but US lawmakers in 1790. Sure there was corruption then, but I don't think they would've set up something as ugly as what we have now if they could've avoided it.
No jury understands design patents by Anonymous Coward · 2015-12-04 03:06 · Score: 1

They are to prevent competitors from making knock off parts or cloning exact looks. If the shape is larger, smaller, different in the slightest it is different and not a violation.
This is all non-sense overreach and is completely crap that the court allowed it to move forward and miss instructed the jury about what they were allowed to determine. I believe Samsung should ultimately win if the Supreme Court finally strikes down this bullshit payday for courts and lawyers.
Re:Engineers need to fix this. by Anonymous Coward · 2015-12-04 03:12 · Score: 1

You engineers are a funny holier-than-thou bunch. Deep down you're just as dirty and greedy as every suit.
But hey, bring back the guild!
Kids by ITRambo · 2015-12-04 03:29 · Score: 1

The summary makes the agreement sound like it was hammered out by lawyers representing third grade kids. One kid says "I will pay, but disagree on why and can get my money back later". The other kid says "I agree, but disagree that you should get your money back". Rich kids these days!
Who cares? by HalAtWork · 2015-12-04 04:12 · Score: 1

Sure patent agreements are resolved between companies which still results in preventing other players from entering the market. Even with all the FRAND patents the barrier to entry is insurmountable

--
Twinstiq, game news
West Indian Proverbs by TheRealHocusLocus · 2015-12-04 04:22 · Score: 1

Tief tiefin' from a tief make God laugh.
Beggah from a beggah make Him cry.
Cockroach 'ain ga no business in fowl cob.
Patent troll issa like a pile a goat dung sittin' on top of hill...
waitin' fo wind to blow.

--
<blink>down the rabbit hole</blink>
Re:Can't Patent Asshat by unixisc · 2015-12-04 04:59 · Score: 1

I just patented it. Now everybody must pay me - Dogbert
Re:Multiple source by zenbi · 2015-12-04 05:10 · Score: 1

There is no number 3 after TMSC that could swallow the production that would need to be shifted from Samsung if Apple wanted to cut the cord.
Poor GlobalFoundries.
Re:Multiple source by fnj · 2015-12-04 05:13 · Score: 2

Guys, guys, it's not TSCM and it's not TMSC. It's TSMC. Sheesh.
Antitrust by tepples · 2015-12-04 05:56 · Score: 1

My thoughts would be to setup an association that basically took ownership of all patents produced by engineers and then licensed these back to employers.
Employers would fire or decline to hire anybody who joins such an association.

Of course Apple/Samsung/Google would fight such a setup like crazy, which is sad in itself, but if enough engineers en-mass started doing this, and in particular the top talent in these companies, they would have little ability to fight it.
Except in antitrust court.
Re:Engineers need to fix this. by KGIII · 2015-12-04 15:32 · Score: 1

If I pay you for labor, the product of that labor belongs to me.

--
"So long and thanks for all the fish."