Since the invention of the world’s first computer, man has been at loggerheads to prove that he is capable of improving the next generation. The technology industry is no different. Technology has been growing exponentially and this rapid growth is fueling the emergence of many new technologies that are rapidly evolving. Technologies are evolving so much that they are acquiring and surpassing their rival technologies. Some technologies have even become renowned rivals that fight for the top spot in the tech industry. Tech rivalries are also important because they often lead to innovation. And innovation can be a double-edged sword – it can be used for both good and for evil.
The rivalry between two technologies has always been fierce to watch, as an observer. Tech companies are always competing against each other to come up with the best product and services. But sometimes, these battles end up in court.
There are many rivalries in the tech industry. These rivalries are not just between two companies but also between certain products. This blog will try to cover some of these rivalries and get you guys to vote on your favorite.
What is Patent Infringement?
Before getting deep into tech rivalry lawsuits we have to understand about the term “Patent Infringement”. Infringement is a violation of a patent. It can be a legal claim that makes you an infringer, which could mean you face some serious consequences. In general, patents are infringed when someone uses another person’s invention without their permission. If you do use someone else’s patent without their permission and your actions cause them financial loss or other damage, then you have violated their patent rights and face the possibility of being sued for damages by the patent holder or owner.
There are two types of infringements: infringing and violating. An infringement is when someone uses your patented invention without permission, while a violation is when someone uses your patented invention without permission and they know they are doing so. Infringement is a civil offense, while violation is a criminal offense.
Apple Inc VS Samsung Electronics Co. LTD
In 2011, Apple and Samsung engaged in a patent war. As of July 2012, the US-based multinational technology company Apple and the South Korean tech powerhouse Samsung had sold more than half of all smartphones globally. After the release of the Samsung Galaxy smartphone in 2011, Apple alleged that Samsung had copied their iPhone and iPad design and technology and utilized it in the Samsung Galaxy Android, including the Samsung Tab 10.1.
Apple filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung. The dispute became the talk of Silicon Valley. Apple alleged that Samsung had purposefully duplicated their designs and violated three of Apple’s utility patents, including the Bounce Back functionality, Tap to Zoom, and Gesture Motion features. Samsung, on the other hand, alleged that Apple had violated Samsung’s wireless communication and camera patents. Furthermore, Samsung condemned Apple for wanting to eliminate all of its competitors from the market and play the role of God. The Samsung authorities pointed the blame at Apple, claiming that Apple could not have sold a single iPhone without Samsung’s technology. As a consequence, Apple launched a lawsuit against Samsung, and Samsung decided to respond as well.
The court first recommended that both corporations negotiate among themselves, but when both sides were unable to reach an agreement, the court took the matter into its own hands. After a seven-year battle, the judgment went in favor of Apple, and Samsung was ordered to pay $539 million to Apple for patent infringement.
Google LLC VS Oracle America, Inc.
The legal battle between Oracle and Google is a prime example of how tech companies have to protect their intellectual property from being infringed upon. Oracle initiated the lawsuit back in 2010 alleging that Google copied some of the Java Standard Edition APIs for its Android OS.To be specific, Oracle sued Google for copyright infringement, claiming that Google’s Android operating system had copied parts of Java code from Oracle’s Java Development Kit. Since then, the case has worked its way up and down the US legal system, creating two jury trials and numerous appeals. Oracle was demanding an insane amount of a million dollars for each line of code copied. However, Google claimed that it didn’t copy a computer program but rather used elements of Java’s software code needed to operate a computer program or platform.
The jury found Google’s copy of Oracle software was a legitimate fair use. The case was decided in favor of Google and they were not found guilty of any copyright infringement.
Ark Innovation Technology VS Matidor Technologies Inc.
A recent dispute between two major businesses has highlighted the significance of having certified software copyright. Vincent Lam, the co-founder and CEO of Matidor Technology Inc., was fined $277,400 for exploiting a copy of Ark Innovation Technology’s software. Vincent Lam, a former co-founder of Ark Innovation, preserved an illegal copy of the program when he left.
Later, Vincent Lam deployed the software copy to build a new software firm named Matidor Technologies. After two years of legal wrangling, Federal Judge Nicholas McHaffie ultimately held Vincent Lam guilty of inflicting harm to Ark Innovation, deriving from the violation of copyright and passing off. The Court further found that Matidor Technologies attempted to promote the Matidor Program as a rebranded version of the Arkit software. In addition, the Court issued an injunction prohibiting the defendants from infringing on the copyright in the Arkit Works in the future. As a co-founder of Matidor Technologies, Vincent Lam paid a considerable amount of money to Ark Innovation for utilizing copyrights for utilizing copyrighted software without the necessary authority. After the judgment, Vincent Lam also requested an apology for his actions. This is one of the most perfect exemplary incidents that explains the need for software copyrights.
Apple Computer, Inc. v. Microsoft Corp
Apple and Microsoft are two of the biggest companies in the tech industry. Apple is a company that focuses on high-end products, while Microsoft is more of a company that focuses on software. Apple filed a lawsuit against Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard in 1988, alleging copyright infringement and contract breaches.
In the year 1987, Microsoft brought Windows 2.0 to the market. This was an incremental release and introduced more advanced VGA graphics with 16 individual colors; keyboard shortcuts for pro users; desktop icons for quick access to different parts of the operating system; and resizable and overlapping windows, all of which were very similar to Macintosh operating systems. So when Steve Jobs saw Microsoft’s Windows 2.0, he was thrilled. He accused Bill Gates of stealing Apple’s user interface and style. As a result, the grounds of the suit were basically theft of the “look and feel” of the interface, which wasn’t something a company could copyright or patent. Despite this, Apple sued Microsoft in July 1994, and the case was dismissed in September of the same year.
The court ruled that “Apple cannot get patent-like protection for the idea of a graphical user interface or the idea of a desktop metaphor under copyright law.” Despite the fact that the judgment went against Apple, a settlement was reached between Apple and Microsoft. Apple decided to make Internet Explorer the company’s default browser. Over the next five years, Microsoft has pledged to continue developing Microsoft Office and other products on the Mac. In addition, Microsoft paid $150 million for nonvoting Apple shares. A patent cross-licensing agreement was signed by both parties.
About the Author:
Wali I. is a SEO Link Builder at LinKRanKseo.com and Independent professional in Upwork.com. Wali I. has been working with internet marketers in various Off-Page SEO and Link Building projects in the last 8 years and gain valuable experience in this field. Wali I. also has a strong involvement in the affiliate marketing industry.
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