United States-Samsung is getting an outpouring of support from some of technology's biggest names. Google, Facebook, eBay, and computer makers Hewlett-Packard and Dell, are all rallying behind the Korean mobile company in its patent battle with tech major Apple. The companies have filed a brief with the US Court of Appeals to reduce or drop alleged infringement charges against Samsung, in support of the mobile company's plea.
Samsung has been alleged as copying the patents of its largest competitor, Apple. Apple has filed a suit against Samsung in 2012, regarding the infringement of some technologies from Apple, which became a landmark case. The US tech company has won the case that year.
The coalition of companies which are all standing behind the Korea-founded conglomerate says that Samsung should not be made to pay large amounts of money for the alleged infringement. The companies have issued a statement to the Court of Appeals on July 1. The Guardian has reported the statement on Tuesday, July 20.
The companies stated that, "If allowed to stand, that decision will lead to absurd results and have a devastating impact on companies...who spend billions of dollars annually on research and development for complex technologies and their components."
Apple said that the court decision should not be affected by the coalition's support. Google owns the android operating system, which powers Samsung devices. The Silicon Valley companies' support just proves the Korean company's significance to them and the tech industry.
Apple and Samsung have been embroiled in legal battles regarding patent issues since 2011. The two companies have hoped to ban the sale of products which are allegedly infringing. The jury has awarded Apple over $1 billion to cover damage costs. Last year, the two companies have agreed to dismiss all lawsuits filed outside of the United States.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab line and Apple's iPads have been entangled in such patent cases. On July 20, Samsung has released its Galaxy Tab S2 model. Not a few have noticed the striking resemblance of the tablet's design to the iPad. Apple has yet to comment on the issue.
