Yesterday, the US Court of Appeals overturned a sales ban on Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus smartphone. It appeared as though the device was destined to be lost in history and that Apple had this battle won. However, with the ruling overturned, Samsung is now free to sell the device again. In response, Samsung has issued a statement on its official blog on the matter.

Samsung welcomes this reversal by the Federal Circuut as yesterday’s decision confirms that the role of patent law is to protect innovation and not to unreasonably stifle competition and restrict consumer choice. We will continue to take all appropriate measures to ensure the availability of our innovative products.

In looking at the statement, it appears very generic and politically correct. That being said, Samsung most certainly voiced its opinion on the way patents are handled. Samsung is just as quick to file a patent lawsuit as its competitors. In fact, we only need look at how quickly Samsung filed suit against Apple for the iPhone 5 to see evidence that they are quick to file for patent litigation as well.

Bickering and patent wars aside, this ruling is a win for the consumer, who will now be able to purchase a great piece of hardware that was arbitrarily not available to them. These lawsuits and product bans really only hurt the consumer, and that is a problem. Of course, companies need to protect their intelectual property if it comes under legitimate attack, but many of these patent suits are just blatant attempts to create an unfair competitive environment.

In the end, this is a victory for Samsung, but probably not the one they are really looking for. That $1 billion judgment in favor of Apple is still hanging around out there. I am quite sure we will see Samsung pull every appeal in books to try and get that decision overturned, and we will keep your posted with the latest on that and other patent lawsuits and battles as they happen.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Dave LeClair in the article said: “Samsung is just as quick to file a patent lawsuit as its competitors. In fact, we only need look at how quickly Samsung filed suit against Apple for the iPhone 5 to see evidence that they are quick to file for patent litigation as well.”
    Are you daft? What is one supposed to do when a bully sucker-punches you? Run and hide, or defend yourself and fight back?
    To the question “are you daft” no need to answer, it was rhetorical. It is clear that you are one of those politically correct hypocrites with a foot on either side of the fence. You wouldn’t be shilling for Apple would you? Spreading FUD+BS+RDF…
    Since you bring the USD$ 1 bn pending awarded by a Kangaroo Court, ponder this:
    ITC Administrative Law Judge Rejects Apple’s FRAND Arguments Against Samsung
    http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20121007194355579
    Apple v. Samsung – More Unredacted Documents Surface Re Foreman, “Proof” of “Copying” That Isn’t
    http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20121004050859829
    Samsung’s Claims of Juror Misconduct Revealed in Unredacted Filings
    http://www.groklaw.net/articlebasic.php?story=20121002201632770
    Unfortunately, it doesn’t look promising to be on the side of Apple as of lately, since the bubble is about to go *POP*.

    ~~~~~~~~~
    A friend to all is a friend to none.
    ~ Aristotle
    Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
    ~ Benjamin Franklin
    Repay kindness with kindness. Meet meanness with strength.
    {Buddhist Proverb}

  2. What a minute, is this androidcommunity or icnet? Sammy was quick to file because apple sued the pants of of them. You don’t sit there and cry like a baby, Sammy did what it needed to do, which is counter-punching the bully.

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