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Apple-Samsung jury splits the baby: The experts weigh in

By
Philip Elmer-DeWitt
Philip Elmer-DeWitt
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By
Philip Elmer-DeWitt
Philip Elmer-DeWitt
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 3, 2014, 11:05 AM ET

FORTUNE — I suspect Steve Jobs would not have been happy with the Apple-v.-Samsung verdict handed down late Friday, which not only failed to “destroy Android,” but was scored a win for Samsung and Google (GOOG) by most pundits willing (or eager) to be quoted.

Brian J. Love, Santa Clara University: “This outcome feels like a defensive victory for Samsung, but not a particularly shocking one. With Google directly involved in developing the allegedly infringing software, Apple’s claims that Samsung blatantly copied the iPhone never rang true.” CNET.

Brian J. Love, Santa Clara University: “Compared to the first case between these companies, this trial was an uphill battle from the start for Apple.” 
New York Times
.

Brian J. Love, Santa Clara University: “Though this verdict is large by normal standards, it is hard to view this outcome as much of a victory for Apple. This amount is less than 10% of the amount Apple requested, and probably doesn’t surpass by too much the amount Apple spent litigating this case.” Reuters, 
Associated Press
.

Brian J. Love, Santa Clara University: “Apple launched this litigation campaign years ago with aspirations of slowing the meteoric rise of Android phone manufacturers. It has so far failed to do so, and this case won’t get it any closer.” Wall Street Journal, Agence France Press.

Mark McKenna, Notre Dame: “It’s hard to imagine Apple sees this as a real victory. It’s a small fraction of what Apple sought, and probably wasn’t substantially more than Apple spent on lawyers. Clearly these patents aren’t worth what Apple thought.”

Van Baker, Gartner. “Mixed results combined with minimal damage rewards means that both companies put in a lot of effort and expense with little to show for it.”
New York Times
.

Michael Carrier, Rutgers. “One wonders if the endless smartphone patent wars, costing millions and putting the focus on the courtroom rather than the innovation lab, are worth it.” Reuters.

Kristin Huguet, Apple Public Relations: “Today’s ruling reinforces what courts around the world have already found: that Samsung willfully stole our ideas and copied our products.”

Spokesperson, Samsung: “It is inappropriate to comment while the jury is still deliberating.”


Florian Mueller, FOSS Patents: “
After 50 months of suing Android device makers without significant impact, Apple should find some powerful gems in its portfolio or give up.”

MG Siegler, Paris Lemon: “Now we get to see which tech behemoth will lose a day’s worth of revenue.”

Iain Thompson, The Register:  “This is not the end of the process however – both sides are likely to appeal the verdict, and we’ll be treated to the same lawyerly imbroglio once more. Kill me now.”

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By Philip Elmer-DeWitt
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