Apple had asserted that Samsung infringed its patent involving the synchronisation of media content between a mobile device and a computer, and sought ¥100 million ($1.3 million) in damages. The Tokyo District Court returned a complete defence verdict and ordered Apple to pay Samsung’s court costs.
This patent dispute is just one battle in the so-called smartphone wars, the most notable being the $1.06 billion verdict awarded to Apple by a Northern California jury for infringement of Apple’s designs. On Tuesday, Judge Lucy Koh refused Apple’s request to increase the damage award, finding that Samsung’s infringement of three utility patents was not wilful.
The case before the Tokyo court did not involve Apple’s design patents. However, Apple has filed a separate lawsuit in Japan alleging that Samsung had infringed its designs.
