14 DAY TRIAL // Samsung and Apple have been engaged in fierce legal battles ever since the world could say “smartphone,” but recent information reveals that the Korean tech giant might end up helping its arch enemy rid itself of a $533 / €485 million payment.
Samsung has reached out to USPTO asking the body to review a couple of patents owned by patent troll Smartflash and asses their validity. The latter is taking the tech behemoth to court and accusing it of infringing on patents related to accessing digital data by using payment systems.
However, there’s a good chance Samsung will receive a favorable ruling. A report coming from Bloomberg reveals that a preliminary decision by a patent agency review board found the patents to be invalid since they covered abstract concepts and not definite inventions that could have been pinned down.
Samsung and Apple join forces against Smartflash
Samsung might be absolved of the blame, but the consequences of this ruling extend beyond that. Apple and Smartflash have also been at each other’s throats, and back in February, a court found the Cupertino tech giant’s iAd, iOS, iTunes Store, Mac and iOS Stores to have infringed on Smartflash’s patents.
As a result, Apple was asked to pay a total of $553 / €485 million to the patent troll. Both tech behemoths have been accused of infringing on six Smartflash patents, but the companies wouldn't give in to the accusations so easily.
Apple and Samsung have both petitioned the USPTO to review five patents, while the latter also solicited the review of a sixth one. A verdict hasn't been provided yet in the last case.
Apple is hoping to put off the payment
Apple has yet to pay Smartflash the amount of money we were telling you about, so if Samsung receives a favorable ruling in this case, the Cupertino tech giant might get to keep its money after all.
But the Korean phone maker didn't file the patent review request to save Apple. The company has its own agenda, as it is hoping to avoid an open court battle with Smartflash.
Still, it will take about a year until the final decision comes to light, as the judging panel presiding over the case needs to hear arguments from both Samsung and Smartflash.
The patents under the Smartflash banner cover methods of controlling access to digital content via payment systems. The inventor, Patrick Racz, originally wanted to commercialize the invention back in 2002 with up-and-rising pop star Britney Spears.