Apple vs. Samsung: Federal Circuit Affirms $539M Design Patent Verdict in Landmark Smartphone Case
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📋 Case Summary
| Case Name | Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
| Case Number | 2017-2587 (Fed. Cir.) |
| Court | Federal Circuit, Appeal from N.D. Cal. |
| Filing / Closure | Apr 2011 - Oct 2018 7 years 6 months |
| Outcome | Plaintiff Win - $539M Damages |
| Patents at Issue | |
| Accused Products | Samsung Galaxy S Series Smartphones |
| Plaintiff Counsel | Morrison & Foerster LLP - Harold McElhinny |
| Defendant Counsel | Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP - John Quinn |
| Termination Basis | Jury Verdict - Design Patent Infringement |
Case Overview
The Parties
⚖️ Plaintiff
Leading consumer electronics company and holder of extensive design patent portfolio covering smartphone aesthetics and user interface elements.
🛡️ Defendant
Global technology conglomerate and major smartphone manufacturer competing in the premium device market with Galaxy series products.
Patents at Issue
This landmark case involved three design patents covering fundamental smartphone design elements that shaped the modern smartphone industry:
- — Black rectangular front face with rounded corners
- — Minimalist bezel design element
- — Grid of colorful icons on black screen
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The Verdict & Legal Analysis
Outcome
The jury found Samsung liable for infringing Apple's design patents and awarded $539 million in damages. This case established significant precedent for how design patent damages are calculated under 35 U.S.C. § 289.
Key Legal Issues
The Federal Circuit's analysis focused on the critical "article of manufacture" question — whether design patent damages should be based on the entire product or a component. The court held that the relevant article of manufacture was the smartphone itself.
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⚠️ Freedom to Operate (FTO) Analysis
This case highlights critical IP risks in smartphone design. Choose your next step:
📋 Understand This Case's Impact
Learn about the specific risks and implications from this litigation.
- View all 47 related patents in this technology space
- See which companies are most active in design patents
- Understand claim construction patterns
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High Risk Area
Rectangular devices with rounded corners
47 Related Patents
In smartphone design space
Design-Around Options
Available for most claims
✅ Key Takeaways
⚖️ For Patent Attorneys
Design patent damages can include total profits from products where design drives consumer demand.
Search related case law →The "article of manufacture" determination is now a critical factual question affecting damages.
Explore precedents →📊 For IP Professionals
Build robust design patent portfolios covering key aesthetic elements of flagship products.
Explore design patent landscape →🔬 For R&D Teams
Document design evolution thoroughly and conduct FTO analysis before finalizing product aesthetics.
Start FTO analysis for my product →Consider filing design patents early in the product development cycle.
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