There's no question – today's verdict dealt Samsung a heavy blow. The massive $1.04 billion sum Samsung will now be responsible for paying Apple in damages aside, the trial will undoubtedly have an effect on the rest of the industry.
Being all too aware of this fact, Samsung has already issued an official response to the verdict, stating that the verdict is not a win for Apple, but a loss for consumers and a blow to innovation.
Here's the statement:
Today's verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer. It will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices. It is unfortunate that patent law can be manipulated to give one company a monopoly over rectangles with rounded corners, or technology that is being improved every day by Samsung and other companies. Consumers have the right to choices, and they know what they are buying when they purchase Samsung products. This is not the final word in this case or in battles being waged in courts and tribunals around the world, some of which have already rejected many of Apple's claims. Samsung will continue to innovate and offer choices for the consumer.
The statement plainly calls on the sentiments of many spectators to the case, invoking the idea of patented rectangles, and the far-reaching effects a decision of this magnitude could have on the consumer tech industry in terms of forward progress, consumer choice, and even price.
Considering today's outcome, the natural question on everyone's mind is – what happens next?
Source: Cnet News
Update: Apple has issued its own response to today's outcome, thanking the jury for "investing the time to listen to our story," and reminding readers that "stealing isn't right." The response (which came from spokesperson Katie Cotton) is about as pointed as Samsung's, similarly invoking the emotional appeals many had tied to the case. Here's the statement:
We are grateful to the jury for their service and for investing the time to listen to our story and we were thrilled to be able to finally tell it. The mountain of evidence presented during the trail showed that Samsung’s copying went far deeper than even we knew. The lawsuits between Apple and Samsung were about much more than patents or money. They were about values. At Apple, we value originality and innovation and pour our lives into making the best products on earth. We make these products to delight our customers, not for our competitors to flagrantly copy. We applaud the court for finding Samsung’s behavior willful and for sending a loud and clear message that stealing isn’t right.
Source: NY Times Bits Blog