14 DAY TRIAL // You'd think that with settlement talks on the way, Apple and Samsung would be less inclined to attack each other, but both companies are still more than eager to engage in mutual bashing.
Apple and Samsung have started so many lawsuits against each other that we've practically lost count of how many different claims they are staking and defending.
Apple has been after Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablet line, among other things, since late 2011, while Samsung has been counter-suing Apple with as much abandon.
Now, the conflict has gained more hot air, courtesy of the former, who filed a motion in the Northern District of California, saying that Samsung purposely disposed of documents it should have handed over for analysis.
In other words, Apple is accusing Samsung of destroying evidence.
All we can say is that it's ironic to see these new “bad faith” accusations appear now, with only ten days to go before the assumed settlements talks.
According to what we learned late last month, Samsung and Apple will get together on May 21/22 in order to try and settle their disputes.
Being accused of destroying evidence isn't quite productive towards that goal but, then again, the opposite may be true too.
Samsung's reply is due on May 15. That means that, if Apple gets the jury to agree with its claim, Samsung will be at a disadvantage during the settlement talks. That Samsung seeks to push the hearing only reinforces this assumption.
Apple will make its case on June 7, by which time Samsung should have provided a reply brief (May 15). The latter wants an extension until May 29 though, and the hearing on July 10.
We aren't experts on US judicial tactics, but we still feel these are delaying tactics at their best. Though it is becoming less and less likely, getting the hatchet buried on may 21/22 would remove this latest conflict altogether.