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Samsung: Apple Victory To Hurt U.S. Consumers, Smother Fair Competition

By Kristin Bent
August 27, 2012    3:52 PM ET

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Apple's U.S. victory in its global patent war against Samsung will deal a blow to American consumers and stifle fair competition in the mobile market, according to Samsung, which has been ordered to pay Apple $1.05 billion in damages in light of its alleged copying of the iPhone and iPad.

The South Korean smartphone giant is seeking to overturn Friday's verdict, which was issued after three days of deliberation by a Northern California District Court jury. Samsung has dubbed the verdict an overall loss for U.S. consumers, and one that will trump innovation in the lucrative smartphone and tablet markets.

"Today's verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer," Samsung said Friday in an official statement. "It will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices. It is unfortunate that patent law can be manipulated to give one company a monopoly over rectangles with rounded corners, or technology that is being improved every day by Samsung and other companies."

[Related: Google’s Motorola Mobility Sues Apple For Patents]

Samsung was found to infringe on five of the seven Apple patents called into question, including one for Apple's "Bounce-Back" scrolling feature and one for the general design of its home screen icons, according to a report Sunday from the Wall Street Journal.

If the jury's decision is not overturned, Samsung will likely pursue an appeal.

"This is not the final word in this case or in battles being waged in courts and tribunals around the world, some of which have already rejected many of Apple's claims," Samsung said in an internal memo, released publicly Monday. "Samsung will continue to innovate and offer choices for the consumer."

Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet, which has been banned in the U.S. since Apple won a preliminary injunction against the device in June, was not found to infringe on any Apple designs. Samsung has filed a motion requesting the ban be lifted, and it is seeking damages from Apple to compensate for lost Galaxy Tab sales during the injunction.

Apple, for its part, said it was grateful that the Northern California jury sent "a loud and clear message that stealing isn't right," according to an internal memo released by 9to5Mac. Apple was originally seeking $2.5 billion in damages from its rival, more than double what it is actually receiving.

NEXT: How Apple's Win Affects U.S. Mobile Market

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