Google's Android 'sufficiently different' from Apple OS to avoid patent dispute

Category: Mobile Phone Investigations

31 August, 2012

Samsung's infringements of Apple's smartphone technology patents do not have implications for the viability of Google's Android operating system, according to one of the jury members.

The foreman of the jury in the trial, Velvin Hogan, has a background in web video technology and is familiar with the US patent system.

In an interview with the BBC, he explained how the evidence for infringement by Samsung differed from the computer evidence that might be presented in a case between Google and Apple.

"The way those two operating systems function are sufficiently different enough that there is no infringement," he explained. "The consumer at large does not have to lose functionality. But the methodology that is used by the company building that can get as close as they want to to that line of infringement, but just don't cross it."

Samsung has been ordered to pay £665 million in damages to Apple, although the figure could rise even further because the jury ruled the infringements were committed wilfully.

Electronic Disclosure– Kroll Ontrack has the technological strength, expertise, and commitment to ensure your success in managing small e-disclosure projects as well as large volumes of electronic evidence legally, accurately and cost-effectively.