Samsung Vows to Fight Apple Patent Ruling in Internal Memo
Samsung acknowledged that the $1.05 billion verdict has "caused concern amongst our employees, as well as our loyal customers." But the company pledged to "continue to do our utmost until our arguments have been accepted."
"We initially proposed to negotiate with Apple instead of going to court, as they had been one of our most important customers," Samsung wrote. "However, Apple pressed on with a lawsuit, and we have had little choice but to counter-sue, so that we can protect our company."
Apple and Samsung execs tried to reach a deal before and during the trial, but to no avail.
Samsung said the verdict in the California district court "starkly contrasts decisions made by courts in a number of other countries." That includes the U.K., the Netherlands, Germany, and Korea, "which have previously ruled that we did not copy Apple's designs," Samsung wrote. "These courts also recognized our arguments concerning our standards patents."
Samsung, however, has also had a number of setbacks overseas in its battle with Apple. Still, Samsung suggested that Apple's patent suits will not help it gain more customers.
"History has shown there has yet to be a company that has won the hearts and minds of consumers and achieved continuous growth, when its primary means to competition has been the outright abuse of patent law, not the pursuit of innovation," Samsung said. "We trust that the consumers and the market will side with those who prioritize innovation over litigation, and we will prove this beyond doubt."
Google, which produces the Android OS found on most Samsung handsets, said today that the patents at hand do not affect the "core" Android OS.
The verdict comes shortly before Samsung is expected to unveil its next-gen Galaxy Note device at the IFA consumer electronics conference in Berlin this week. PCMag will be there, so stay tuned for all the news.
