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Why is apple suing samsung for software patents? Samsung don't write (much of) the software. EDIT: I know Apple CAN sue samsung, but I don't know why. Google

by 1stop 12y ago

Why is apple suing samsung for software patents? Samsung don't write (much of) the software. EDIT: I know Apple CAN sue samsung, but I don't know why. Google are writing the software, all the features described are google features. Android is what iOS competes with. So I guess my question should have been: Why isn't Apple suing google?

Zikes 12y ago
Because reasons [1] [1] http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/articles/64028-image/ch-b.png http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/articles/64028-image/ch-b...
aaronbrethorst 12y ago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc._v._Samsung_Electronics_Co.,_Ltd http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc._v._Samsung_Electroni....
IBM 12y ago
Because Samsung is using them in their products and profiting from them.
bradleyjg 12y ago
Patent holder can sue anyone using an infringing product. That's why you sometimes hear about patent trolls threatening to sue mom and pop operations if they have a fax/scan/copier and extorting a settlement.
wmf 12y ago
Samsung sells the final product and profits from it. Since Samsung modifies Android, arguably they could have removed infringing features but they chose not to. I don't know if this argument came up during the case.
noisy_boy 12y ago
Beyond them reacting to the obvious rise of Samsung, there is a side benefit of making other companies using Android think about alternatives, thereby weakening Android's stronghold on the smartphone market.
WildUtah 12y ago
To infringe a patent, you have to make, use, sell, or offer to sell, or import an infringing product or process. [0] Google writes software that could be used to make such a device but it actually produces very few such devices itself. Apple just might be able to sue over the Nexus line, though I think LG and HTC actually make those, because Google sells them on the Play Store. The damages would be pretty small, though, because the volume is small. Google's export of software is not making, selling, or importing a product [1] and no Android manufacturers make phones in the USA. Samsung actually makes the devices and imports them in vast numbers. Note also that since using the device can be infringement, Apple could sue every user of Android devices in the USA individually also. [0] 35 USC §271 [1] Microsoft v. AT&T, 550 U.S. 437 (2007)
dirkgently 12y ago
Because "slide-to-unlock" is a cornerstone of technology, the one only Apple would ever think off.

by 1stop 12y ago

Zikes 12y ago

Because reasons [1] [1] http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/articles/64028-image/ch-b.png http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/articles/64028-image/ch-b...

aaronbrethorst 12y ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc._v._Samsung_Electronics_Co.,_Ltd http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc._v._Samsung_Electroni....

IBM 12y ago

Because Samsung is using them in their products and profiting from them.

bradleyjg 12y ago

Patent holder can sue anyone using an infringing product. That's why you sometimes hear about patent trolls threatening to sue mom and pop operations if they have a fax/scan/copier and extorting a settlement.

wmf 12y ago

Samsung sells the final product and profits from it. Since Samsung modifies Android, arguably they could have removed infringing features but they chose not to. I don't know if this argument came up during the case.

noisy_boy 12y ago

Beyond them reacting to the obvious rise of Samsung, there is a side benefit of making other companies using Android think about alternatives, thereby weakening Android's stronghold on the smartphone market.

WildUtah 12y ago

To infringe a patent, you have to make, use, sell, or offer to sell, or import an infringing product or process. [0] Google writes software that could be used to make such a device but it actually produces very few such devices itself. Apple just might be able to sue over the Nexus line, though I think LG and HTC actually make those, because Google sells them on the Play Store. The damages would be pretty small, though, because the volume is small. Google's export of software is not making, selling, or importing a product [1] and no Android manufacturers make phones in the USA. Samsung actually makes the devices and imports them in vast numbers. Note also that since using the device can be infringement, Apple could sue every user of Android devices in the USA individually also. [0] 35 USC §271 [1] Microsoft v. AT&T, 550 U.S. 437 (2007)

dirkgently 12y ago

Because "slide-to-unlock" is a cornerstone of technology, the one only Apple would ever think off.