Apple vs. Samsung Smackdown Headed to Jury Trial
Apple’s pitched patent battle with Samsung is headed to a jury trial.
U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh on Thursday ordered both companies to pare down their bloated patent claims in advance of a July 30 courtroom showdown.
“It’s going to be 125 exhibits per side. That’s it, no more,” Koh said during a hearing on Thursday, adding that each side will be permitted only 25 hours of arguments in the jury trial.
This is the third time Apple and Samsung have been ordered to pare down their claims against each other. Back in May, Koh demanded that the companies narrow their arguments, which encompass some 16 patents, six trademarks, five “trade dress” claims and antitrust allegations spread across 37 products. “I think that’s cruel and unusual punishment to a jury, so I’m not willing to do it,” Koh said at the time. “If you’re going to trial in July, this is not going to be acceptable.”
So the ground rules have been set. And on July 30, the battle will begin in earnest, with Apple arguing that Samsung’s Galaxy devices “slavishly” copy the iPhone and iPad, and Samsung insisting that its Android-based smartphones and tablets do not violate the multiple patents and trademarks they’re accused of violating.
(Image courtesy of Jury Blog)