After nearly five days of deliberations, a US jury on Thursday said Samsung should pay $US539 million ($711 million) to Apple for copying patented smartphone features, technology publication CNET reported, bringing a years-long feud between the technology companies into its final stages.
Samsung sought to limit damages to about $US28 million, saying it should only pay for profits attributable to the components of its phones that infringed Apple patents.
Photo: Louise KennerleyThe world’s top smartphone rivals have been in court over patents since 2011, when Apple filed a lawsuit alleging Samsung’s smartphones and tablets “slavishly” copied its products. Samsung was found liable in a 2012 trial, but a disagreement over the amount to be paid led to the current retrial over damages where arguments ended on May 18.
Samsung previously paid Apple $US399 million to compensate Apple for infringement of some of the patents at issue in the case. The jury has been deliberating the case since last week.
Because of that credit, if the verdict is upheld on appeal it will result in Samsung making an additional payment to Apple of nearly $US140 million.
In a statement, Apple said it was pleased that the members of the jury "agree that Samsung should pay for copying our products.”