Apple Samsung patent trial: closing arguments delivered
Apple
and Samsung are embroiled in legal battles all over the world
Closing arguments have been delivered in
the US patent trial between the two biggest smartphone-makers in the world,
Samsung and Apple.
Apple
lawyers accused South Korea-based Samsung of copying Apple designs after
realising it could not compete.
Samsung
lawyers retorted saying a win for Apple would mean less choice for
consumers.
The
jury in the trial, which is in its fourth week, starts deliberation on
Wednesday.
Apple
is asking for more than $2.5bn (£1.6bn) in damages from Samsung for violating
its patented designs and features in the iPad and iPhone. It is also asking for
a sales ban.
In
return, Samsung has counter sued, saying Apple infringed its patents for key
wireless technology.
In
his closing argument on Tuesday Apple lawyer Harold McElhinny told the jury that
Samsung had employed a shortcut in its product design.
"In
those critical three months, Samsung was able to copy and incorporate the result
of Apple's four-year investment in hard work and ingenuity- without taking any
of the risks," McElhinny said referring to the time spent working on Samsung
phones by a South Korean designer who testified in the trial.
For
his part, Samsung's lawyer Charles Verhoeven told the jury a verdict in favour
of Apple meant competition would be stifled in the industry.
"Rather
than competing in the marketplace, Apple is seeking a competitive edge in the
courtroom," Verhoeven said in his closing statement.
"(Apple
thinks) it's entitled to having a monopoly on a rounded rectangle with a large
screen. It's amazing really."
The
closely watched trial has drawn worldwide attention and on Tuesday the courtroom
was overflowing with observers, journalists, lawyers and analysts.
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