After Seven Long Years, Samsung Threw in the Towel

Samsung’s strategy was copy Apple and market hard. Now they just advertise decent devices with subpar Android customizations.

No one expected this day would come. Apple accused Samsung of copying the iPhone many years ago, from the shape of the device to “slide to unlock.” Internal memos even listed features and designs of the iPhone that Samsung designers and engineers were expected to duplicate. It was obvious that Samsung’s intention was to copy Apple. That’s why judges and juries have, for seven years, awarded Apple millions of dollars. However, Samsung refused to accept defeat. Until now.

After Samsung’s last loss, they realized they couldn’t shrink the amount they owed again. Samsung’s latest appeal actually made things worse for them. Samsung was ordered to pay Apple $1 billion years ago. They managed to get that taken down to about $500 million, then down to $399 million. However, their latest appeal loss saw that sum go back up to $539 millions. Samsung realized they were fighting a losing battle.

Apple and Samsung settled the case behind closed doors, agreeing on an amount that Samsung would owe Apple. Likely as part of that agreement, neither Apple nor Samsung have announced the amount Samsung paid to Apple. With that, the case is unceremoniously finished. Samsung has admitted defeat, and paid up. Finally, we can move on. Samsung has long since given up on copying Apple, but LG, Lenovo, Motorola, and of course, Xiaomi and Oppo, are still at it.

Source: Buster Hein, Cult of Mac