Judge GIVES APPLE THE FINGER in multitouch iDevice patent case
Or more accurately, lets Samsung give Cupertino two
Samsung is allowed to make phones that enable users to use two fingers on the screen at once, ruled a Dutch judge today, kicking out Apple's infringement claim over its multitouch patent.
Apple's claim was dismissed and it was ordered to pay Samsung's litigation costs this morning by Judge Peter Blok and two other judges at the court in the Hague.
The court agreed with Samsung's defence that the technique it uses to enable multitouch on its Android phones differs from the technique Apple uses.
The Apple patent specifically describes a method for switching off part of a touchscreen when two fingers are being used, to avoid confused input.
According to an IDG news report, Apple's method gives each different part of the screen exclusivity – allowing two parts to work simultaneously but disabling the rest. Android uses what is described as a more "hierarchical" system.
Apple's bid to sue another Android manufacturer, HTC, over the same patent in the UK was kicked out in July.
Samsung told The Reg:
We welcome today’s ruling, which affirms our position that our products do not infringe Apple’s intellectual property. For decades, we have heavily invested in pioneering the development of technological and design innovations in the mobile industry, which have been constantly reflected in our products.
A trial over the multi-touch patent is ongoing in Germany.
Apple can appeal the judgment. ®
COMMENTS
Good to see some common sense. But it won't be long before Another Puerile Patent Lawsuit Erupts
Another European judge reaches a sensible decision. Meanwhile, in the US where they let the public loose on civil cases replete with legal and technical complexities, juries reach incomprehensible decisions. Am I detecting a pattern, here?
Obviously they lack buttons
Didn't Apple ever hear of N-Key Rollover?
Gesture based editing pre 1989?
More Apple patents the USPO needs to invalidate.
Yes and no
Yes, you are detecting a pattern, but no it's not the pattern you think. The pattern, specifically in the Apple/Samsung spat, has centered on the tendency of non-US courts to look at the facts, while US courts seem to only care about protecting American companies. Like any stereotype, there's sure to be plenty of exceptions.
