US Judge Orders Apple To Share HTC Deal Details With Samsung

another random user writes with this news from the BBC: "A U.S. judge has ordered Apple to disclose details of its patent-sharing deal with HTC to its rival, Samsung. Apple and HTC signed a 10-year licence agreement earlier this month, but did not make the details public. Samsung, which is also involved in various patent disputes with Apple, asked the courts to tell Apple to furnish the information. It said it was 'almost certain' the deal covered some of the patents at the centre of its dispute with Apple. The court ordered Apple to produce a full copy of the settlement agreement 'without delay,' subject to an 'attorneys' eyes only' designation, meaning it will not be made public."

Apple shot themselves in the foot...

[dryriver]

... when, instead of competing fairly and squarely with Samsung, they decided to drag Samsung's Galaxy products through the courts and get their sales banned in several different territories, including several European countries. Samsung's products are well priced, well designed, well manufactured and ooze a sense of "quality" overall, while Apple is more of an "electronics fashion brand" in its marketing approach, catering to i-fanboys and i-fangirls who'll buy anyhing branded "Apple". ------ Face it, Apple: You cannot compete with a behemoth like Samsung by trying to twist the courts/the law to your advantage. Put some proper innovation on the market before Samsung, which makes seriously good products, rolls right over you... Good luck to you, because Samsung are seriously good at product design...

Re:A Pool

[Anonymous Coward]

You'll lose that bet. Samsung is cool and level headed. Apple is known for childish antics like their "apology" to Samsung in the UK. Samsung's legal team are professionals. Apple grabbed the headlines with a billion dollar settlement, but it will be Samsung that has the last laugh. Samsung will easily get that verdict overturned on appeal. They are professionals, not amatuers like Apple legal.

Re:The Shadows and Vorlons...

[jo_ham]

stomping around the universe.

Best not to be underfoot during this battle.

So the question remains, which one is Samsung, and which Apple ?

Why does it matter which is which? That was the whole point of the Dawn of the Third Age. Both "parents" were just as bad as each other.

Re:So... What if what Samsung claims is true?

[vux984]

Why would it matter to Samsung if the deal between Apple and HTC concerns some patents that are in dispute?

Apple has alleged that Samsung has caused them 'irreparable harm' by violating their patents, and has requested (and in somes cases gotten) injunctions against Samsung products in several cases now.

Samsungs counter argument is essentially:

(disputed assumption 1) Assuming your patents are valid, and (disputed assumption 2) Assuming we infringed those patents, then: its still not irreparable harm. Apple settled with HTC on those same patents which suggests that infringing those patents isn't irreparable, and that money can 'repair' the harm after all, and that therefore an injunction isn't needed.

Of course its all moot if Samsung is able to get assumption 1 or 2 invalidated, but they're fighting this case at every level.

Re:Apple shot themselves in the foot...

[fredprado]

Nope. Acknowledging the quality of Apple's products does not make you a fanboy. Defending Apple's legal practices and bully approach regarding their distributors, competitors and customers does, though, especially when you are directly and negatively affected by it..

Re:Apple shot themselves in the foot...

[symbolset]

Well apparently you also enjoy the quality, reliability and price of Samsung products then. That's what your iPhone and MacBook are made of.

Re:A Pool

[thaylin]

First Samsung has copied no more from apple then apple has from samsung, actually probably less. Also the fact that you are ignoring apples first attempt at the court order shows how much of a fanboy you are.