14 DAY TRIAL // That “forbidden” evidence that Samsung published in the media may have angered the judge, but Samsung's lawyer is steadfast.
For those who need a reminder, the document shows that Sony was working on a smartphone before Apple's iPhone even came out.
The implication was that not only did Samsung not copy the iPhone, Apple itself used Sony as an inspiration.
Judge Lucy Koh, overseeing the trial in San Jose, California, was reportedly furious when she learned that the file had been released.
She'd previously denied Samsung permission to use it as evidence in the opening statement.
Now, Samsung's lawyer John Quinn has taken to defending the move, saying that Samsung “did not [overstep] any court order or any legal or ethical standards.”
He pointed out that the information had appeared in the media coverage even before the jury had been selected, so Apple's claims that the jury was “polluted” is a “false representation” and even affected his personal reputation.
All in all, people have already begun taking things personally. We'll have to see if the matter settles down by Friday or if things spiral out of control.