Japan court rejects Apple patent claims against Samsung

A Japanese court Friday rejected Apple’s claim that Samsung stole its technology, dealing a blow to the iPhone maker after last week winning $1.05 billion in damages in the US from its bitter rival.

The ruling by the Tokyo District Court is the latest chapter in a long-running global patent war between the smartphone giants who have accused each other of stealing intellectual property for their own products.

The Japanese court found that Samsung did not infringe on Apple’s iPhone and iPad patents for some of its own Galaxy smartphones and tablet computer. The three-judge panel also awarded legal costs to Samsung.

Apple had sought damages and the block of sales of its some of Samsung’s products in the lucrative Japanese market.

But as well as dealing a blow to the US firm, the ruling will help Samsung pick itself up after the defeat in the United States, analysts said.

Samsung shares closed 1.48 percent higher in Seoul on Friday.

Samsung, which has steadfastly denied its rival’s claims in a string of similar cases filed across the globe, hailed the Tokyo court’s ruling.

A Japan-based spokesman for Apple, which can appeal the verdict, declined to comment.

Last week the iPhone maker won $1.05 billion in a massive US court victory over Samsung with jurors finding that the South Korean firm had “willfully” infringed on Apple’s patents.

The Japanese case, which focused on Apple’s claim that Samsung stole technology used to transfer music and video files, sought a comparatively small amount — 100 million yen ($1.27 million) — in damages.

Both firms’ gadgets are increasingly popular in the the Japanese market which was previously monopolized by domestic giants such as Sony and Sharp.

The high-profile verdict in the United States last week regarded patents on a range of Samsung products including some of its popular smartphones and its Galaxy 10 tablet.

Jurors rejected the South Korean electronics firm’s patent theft counterclaims against Apple.

Also last week, a court in Seoul ruled the pair had swiped each other’s technology and awarded damages to both sides.

Source AP