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Apple's (AAPL +2.1%) sell-side fans are celebrating the company's win over Samsung (SSNLF.PK),...

  • Monday, August 27, 2012, 11:52 AM ET
    Apple's (AAPL +2.1%) sell-side fans are celebrating the company's win over Samsung (SSNLF.PK), though most see only a moderate impact on Android (GOOG -1.4%). BI estimates just 4% of Samsung's Q2 smartphone sales came from the U.S. Three issues that will be closely watched: whether Apple obtains an injunction on Samsung's hit Galaxy S III; what hardware changes Samsung will make to avoid legal trouble; and whether those changes will only apply to U.S. versions.
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This news story has 9 comments:

  • Whoa.......
    27 Aug 2012, 11:59 AM Reply Like
  • Now That It's Leaked, I Don't Want The iPhone 5http://http://read.bi/MVRxJO
    it's nice that Samsung and others make phones for people that actually have a brain.
    27 Aug 2012, 12:20 PM Reply Like
  • Yokyok doesn't want an iPhone. OMG .... when Tim Cook sees that Yokyok doesn't want an iPhone he'll likely jump off the highest building in silicone valley. .... after he gets the check from Samsung for $1B.

    At least Apple won't be paying Jon Ives for designing hardware that Samsung copies.

    There are some that are going to buy blackberries. I was sitting in a restaurant last week and overheard a conversation between two people about a problem with their blackberries. The one announced he figured out how to solve the technical problem ... "You have to remove the battery and reboot." I thought to myself .... Nice design innovation. Remove the battery. Sweet.
    27 Aug 2012, 03:18 PM Reply Like
  • I was at Best Buy last Sunday to check out the most recent smart phone models and I have been visiting Apple store weekly. I have to say that the transformation of Android phone is already underway. From appearance, iPhone has not changed too much since original, but Android phones are difference from each other. The starting page is also difference among Android phones. I have been working in the industry with heavy patent fight. General feeling is that the current patent system is heavily abused. I wonder that some of Apple’s patents Samsung infringed are really valid and it can be challenged. The way human touch the screen to do certain things can be quite human instinct. If you wrote a code to mimic such instinct and get a patent, it is failure of patent law. More realistic, you can say Samsung copied the code but I doubt. Samsung can write a different code to mimic the same human function. When Microsoft window clearly infringed Apple interface and bullied Apple, where was the lawsuit? At that time, I felt strongly for Apple. Now, everything turns around. For long term, I don’t think Apple will gain any advantage. If Apple’s image is casted as bully, it will be like that. Apple won a battle and loses the war; Apple won in USA and loses in the world.
    27 Aug 2012, 12:33 PM Reply Like
  • In the big scheme of things the public doesn't follow corporate litigation. Even if they see it on the news, they'll have forgotten it in 30 days.

    Nokia and RIMM both opted to do their own designs rather than copy Apple. How did that work out?

    Samsung made out like a bandit copying Apple. They rose to the top tier of smartphone manufacturers.

    You compare MSFT vs. Apple on OS. MSFT had 95% of the market. Apple has around 30% market share of smartphones. Samsung has around 25%. Not too shabby for copying iphone designs.

    You're off the mark when it comes to who is writing the code. Samsung isn't writing the code that infringes on Apple patents. Google writes the code. It's a function of the Android OS. So that not only affects Samsung it impacts other Android smartphones that infringe which is probably all of them.

    Samsung is unique in that they also violated Apple's IP on Trade Dress.

    Frankly, I think Samsung losing is good for consumers. Samsung can do their own innovation and come up with something that's different instead of trying to copy the designs done by Jon Ives.
    27 Aug 2012, 08:45 PM Reply Like
  • The only real winner in all this is HIMX..
    Samsung is supplied by HIMX ( display drivers)....... Samsung supplies Display for Apple( so pretty good chance HIMX drivers are in Apple products already).... As PC market (Dell and HP supplied by HIMX) falls apart and more people move to smartphones and tablets ( supplied by HIMX but with better margins) the phone and tablet wars are going to increase in intensity. The upshot is I dont know who will ultimately win as a manufacturer, just that they are probably supplied by HIMX. thestreet also upgraded them on Friday from hold to BUY.
    They also have great exposure to the Win8 launch, another catalyst in the back half of this year.

    Disclosure I am long HIMX from $1.60 and have a price target of $3-$4 over 12 months.
    27 Aug 2012, 01:20 PM Reply Like
  • Don't copy Samdung.
    27 Aug 2012, 03:55 PM Reply Like
  • There was a really good article today (see link) about the outcome of this trial, and to be educated on these issues is important if one wants to make relevant comments. Check it out:

    http://ti.me/NsTOhb
    27 Aug 2012, 05:57 PM Reply Like
  • Decent article. I have a couple issues with it but I'll mention just one.

    He says in his article: "Samsung’s claim that its loss in the suit will only stifle competition is incorrect."

    Read more: http://ti.me/SKMWuN

    That isn't what Samsung said. This is what they said:

    "Samsung was quick to issue a comment to that effect. “Today’s verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer,” Samsung said in an official statement. “It will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices.”

    Read more: http://bit.ly/SKMWuP

    You could say that's "incorrect", but that would be gross understatement. "inane" would be a better choice of words.... Really, since Samsung can't copy Apple that leads to less innovation? Give me a break. Even if Samsung refuses to do their own innovation that's not less innovation. The only way you get less competition is if Samsung decides they can't innovate themselves and drop out of the smartphone market. I don't think Samsung would take that position.

    Samsung is pulling the same BS that they did with "Apple invented rectangles with rounded corners". Apple never claimed they invented rectangles with rounded corners.
    27 Aug 2012, 09:00 PM Reply Like
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