Holy timewarp, Batman! Despite already being five years old, the U.S. Department of Justice has suggested that the Samsung vs. Apple patent case could continue to rage for at least a few more years — by recommending that the Supreme Court return the case for yet more examination.
By asking the Supreme Court to overturn an appeals court ruling in favor of Apple, the D.O.J. is basically asking that Apple’s current damages award (which stands at $548 million) be reassessed.
The Justice Department submitted its argument via an amicus brief (the name for a “friend of the court” brief filed by someone who is not a party to the case) this week.
While Apple has refused to comment on the case, Samsung told Reuters that it is happy to receive such “overwhelming support” from various parties, including the folks in the U.S. government. “If left uncorrected, the appeals court’s ruling could lead to diminished innovation, pave the way for design troll patent litigation and negatively impact the economy and consumers,” Samsung said.
So where does this leave Apple? Well, with the exception of it having happier lawyers then ever, it all sounds like it’s business as usual when it comes to the Samsung battle. In all, it’s highly reminiscent of George Orwell’s famous line about how wars are not meant to be won, but to be continuous.
I guess that’s not the bit of Nineteen Eighty Four Apple hoped would be the take-home message when it made its famous Orwell-inspired Macintosh ad back in the day!
Source: Reuters
