Courthouse Steps: Samsung v. Apple: Giants in the Supreme Court

Intellectual Property Practice Group Teleforum

After years of litigation, the bitterly fought and highly publicized smartphone patent war between two of the biggest players in the industry, Apple and Samsung, finally reached the U.S. Supreme Court. While Apple has already won the patent infringement case, the Supreme Court addressed the complicated question of how to determine damages based on a design patent in a product with thousands of other patents covering it as well. Is the statutory language clear and controlling? Are profits from the entire value of the phone the right measure? Or something less? Do design patents even have any economic value at all in a technically complex product? Is the design of a smartphone more like the design of an entire car, or just a cup holder?

Our speakers will discuss the oral argument, their views on the merits of the case, as well as the important policy questions related to the economic value of design patents.

Featuring:

• Ms. Rachel W. Apter, Senior Associate, Orrick

• Prof. Mark D. Janis, Robert A Lucas Chair of Law; Director, Center for Intellectual Property Research, Maurer School of Law, Indiana University, Election Lawyer Center

After years of litigation, the bitterly fought and highly publicized smartphone patent war between two of the biggest players in the industry, Apple and Samsung, finally reached the U.S. Supreme Court. While Apple has already won the patent infringement case, the Supreme Court addressed the complicated question of how to determine damages based on a design patent in a product with thousands of other patents covering it as well. Is the statutory language clear and controlling? Are profits from the entire value of the phone the right measure? Or something less? Do design patents even have any economic value at all in a technically complex product? Is the design of a smartphone more like the design of an entire car, or just a cup holder?

Our speakers will discuss the oral argument, their views on the merits of the case, as well as the important policy questions related to the economic value of design patents.

Featuring:

• Ms. Rachel W. Apter, Senior Associate, Orrick

• Prof. Mark D. Janis, Robert A Lucas Chair of Law; Director, Center for Intellectual Property Research, Maurer School of Law, Indiana University, Election Lawyer Center

Call begins at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

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