Tech
Samsung ordered to pay $117.7 million for patent infringement in its Galaxy devices
A jury in the United States sided with the Japanese firm, ruling that Samsung had used its technology in the South Korean company’s most popular line of gadgets without a license.
According to The Korea Herald, a U.S. federal jury has ruled that Samsung Electronics must pay $117.7 million in damages to the Japanese electronics firm Maxell for infringing on several of its technology patents. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued the verdict, concluding that popular Samsung devices, such as the Galaxy line of smartphones and tablets, use Maxell’s patented technology without proper licensing.
Patents in dispute: unlocking and data management
The jury’s decision focused on Samsung’s infringement of three U.S. patents held by Maxell. These technologies are fundamental to the day-to-day operation of the devices and include:
- The unlocking function in the devices.
- Systems for data management and handling.
- Technology for image and video playback.
The source of the conflict: an expired agreement
The business relationship between the two companies dates back to 2011, when Samsung signed a 10-year licensing agreement with Hitachi Consumer Electronics (Maxell’s predecessor) to use a dozen of its patents.
However, the agreement expired in 2021. According to a lawsuit filed by Maxell in September 2023, Samsung continued to use the patented technology in a wide range of products, including the SmartThings Station, smartphones, laptops, and home appliances, without renewing the license. Maxell claims that it tried to negotiate a new agreement but that Samsung refused, prompting the Japanese firm to take legal action.
Is it a final verdict?
It is important to note that this jury verdict does not constitute a final judgment. Samsung has the option to appeal the decision, so the case could be extended.
A legal battle on a global scale
The Texas lawsuit is just one part of a broader legal offensive. Maxell has stepped up its strategy, filing lawsuits against the Korean giant in multiple jurisdictions, including:
- Germany
- Japan
- U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)
Additionally, Maxell filed a new lawsuit against Samsung in Texas in April of this year, alleging similar patent violations. This indicates that the legal dispute between the two companies is far from over.
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