Apple's Win in Court Won't Hurt Samsung or Android

A U.S. District Court jury in San Jose, Calif., found that some Samsung devices had infringed on Apple's patent for "quick links," a feature that dials a phone number included in an email, and Apple's "slide to unlock" patent, for gaining access to a device. The jury will reconvene on Monday to determine whether additional damages are necessary for Samsung's infringement of Apple's "auto-complete" patent, which offers suggestions about how to change or complete a word during typing.

But the verdict is expected to have little impact in the marketplace. Legal experts and people close to the company said most of the infringing products are no longer sold, and Samsung is likely to implement alternative technologies for future models.

The verdict won't hurt Samsung financially either, even if it is upheld following likely appeals. The award of $119 million in damages amounts to roughly one-quarter of 1% of Samsung's $47.56 billion in cash. It is also a far cry from the $930 million Apple was awarded following an earlier trial—one of the biggest awards in patent-litigation history. Samsung has appealed that verdict.