Apple may eventually come to regret its $1.05bn patent victory against Samsung, according to some analysts, who claim it will do nothing to halt the rise of the Android operating system and may eventually lead to greater innovation.
Initially there had been fears that the ruling in California would see Apple go after many Google Android devices, using the verdict to force rivals into either withdrawing smartphones or agree to pay large royalties.
But many commentators now claim it could turn out to be a Pyrrhic victory, citing a number of factors, including a counter case being brought by Google against Apple.
Others believe Google will now rework its Android operating system to avoid any of the patents involved in the Apple-Samsung case, and be forced to be more innovative.
Apple, they argue, has given Samsung and the other manufacturers of Android handsets, including HTC, a huge incentive to innovate and differentiate themselves as much as possible.
There are also a number of other cases in the pipeline, including a separate case with Google, which alleges Apple violated patents previously owned by Motorola Mobility. The unit is now part of Google. That case will take months if not years. Samsung has also pledged to appeal against the US verdict.
And just last week a court in Korea found both Apple and Samsung infringed each other’s patents and ordered both to stop selling certain smartphones and tablets.
Android dominates the Far East smartphone market, and took almost 77% of sales in the first quarter of 2012, according to Beijing-based Analysys International, which specialises in the Chinese market.
Google also claims the US case does not affect the core Android operating system. In a statement released this week, Google said: “The court of appeals will review both infringement and the validity of the patent claims. Most of these don’t relate to the core Android operating system and several are being re-examined by the US Patent Office.
“The mobile industry is moving fast and all players – including newcomers – are building upon ideas that have been around for decades. We work with our partners to give consumers innovative and affordable products, and we don’t want anything to limit that.”
