Apple and Samsung head to court again
Warring smartphone companies Apple and Samsung are preparing to square up in court ahead of another patent battle.
The latest case between the pair, which have had several disputes around the world, will begin today, March 31.
The trial centres on the assertion by Apple of five patents used in devices including the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini, as well as a patent on the Siri voice feature.
South Korea-based Samsung will assert two US patents against its Californian rival as a counterclaim.
The trial will be heard at the US District Court for the Northern District of California in front of District Judge Lucy Koh.
Earlier this month, WIPR reported that Samsung had removed three standard-essential-patents (SEPs) it was planning to assert.
SEPs are patents that are essential to industry standards. Companies that define patents as SEPs are required to licence them at fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory rates.
Apple, which said Samsung had abused that requirement, has since removed those claims.
Apple landed the first blow of the battle in August 2012 after the same court said Samsung infringed its patents through 14 of its products.
Initially, Samsung was ordered to pay $1.05 billion but Judge Koh vacated $450 million from the figure after ruling that the jury had not adequately calculated a portion of the damages.
The revised portion of damages Samsung was ordered to pay was $290 million taking the total past $900 million.
The first arguments in the case are expected to begin tomorrow, April 1.
