Samsung has been ordered to pay $117.7 million in damages in a patent infringement case filed in the US state of Texas. In the case filed by Japanese technology company Maxell, the jury ruled that Samsung used seven different patents belonging to Maxell without permission in smartphones, tablets and smart home devices.
Samsung may officially pay patent fines
The court stated that the patents in question cover basic software and hardware technologies such as user interface, data processing methods and image reproduction. The lawsuit began in September 2023. Maxell claimed that Samsung used its protected technologies in SmartThings stations, laptops, phones and various home electronics products without obtaining a license.
According to the documents submitted by Maxell, some of the infringed patents date back to 2011. At that time, Samsung had a licensing agreement with Hitachi Consumer Electronics, Maxell’s predecessor. However, this agreement expired in 2021.
After the deadline, Maxell attempted to re-enter into an agreement with Samsung, but no new agreement could be reached between the parties. Despite this, it was stated that Samsung continued to use the technologies in question.
Maxell did not stop with the lawsuit it filed in the US. The company applied to courts in Germany and Japan and also filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission. Samsung announced that it will appeal the decision made in Texas.
The company states that the court decision is not final. So what do you think about this issue? You can share your views with us in the comments section below.
