Google Responds To Apple Samsung Patent Decision

Google has said that Apple’s victory on the US front of the international Apple Samsung patent wars will not affect the core Android mobile operating system used by Samsung’s phones, and therefore should not limit consumer access to Android-based devices.

The search giant issued the statement two days after the US District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that Samsung’s Android-based phones and tablets including the Galaxy Tab and the Galaxy S smartphone range, had infringed Apple’s software and design patents in the production of a number of its mobile devices, ordering Samsung to pay more than $1 billion (£664m) to Apple. Samsung has indicated that it will appeal the decision.

Apple Samsung Patent shock

“The court of appeals will review both infringement and the validity of the patent claims,” read Google’s statement. “Most of these don’t relate to the core Android operating system, and several are being re-examined by the US Patent Office.”

“The mobile industry is moving fast and all players – including newcomers – are building upon ideas that have been around for decades,” it continued. “We continue to work with our partners to give consumers innovative and affordable products, and we don’t want anything to limit that.”

The damages awarded to Apple were less than the $2.5 billion (£1.6bn) that it was seeking, but it still represents a significant blow to the Korean manufacturer, which saw £7.5 billion wiped off the value of the company in the aftermath of the decision.

Apple has indicated that it will now seek a ban on the sale of eight Samsung devices involved in the lawsuit and there are suggestions that it could try and use the verdict to stop the sales of other Android-based models it believes infringe its patents.

Are you a patent expert? Find out with our quiz!