Apple Wins Big in Major Patent Trial

After only three days of deliberation in a complicated and high-profile trial, a nine-person jury found that Samsung has infringed on six of Apple’s mobile technology and design patents and determined the iPhone maker should be awarded more than $1 billion in damages. 

The verdict appears to be a big victory for Apple and a milestone in ongoing mobile patent skirmishes around the globe. Importantly, the jury declared that all seven of the Apple patents in the case are valid.

What’s not clear yet is how the verdict will impact the broader smartphone and tablet industry, or other manufacturers that use Google’s Android operating system. On Twitter, Gartner analyst Michael Gartenberg wrote, “Larger implications will be for other vendors, who will have to carefully look at their designs post verdict.” 

A few interesting takes on the news, which broke on a sleepy Friday afternoon, come from Wired, All Things D, and USA Today. And for those interested in a complete blow-by-blow, there’s a live blog on The Verge.