The highly-publicized patent battle between Apple and Samsung will be handed over to the nine person jury this week. This case involves a complicated battle over intellectual property, including several patents held by both Samsung and Apple. So, what is required of the jurors?
One of the Wall Street Journal blogs, Digits, published an article with the proposed verdict forms from both Apple and Samsung. You can see Apple’s verdict form here, and Samsung’s verdict form here.
The forms include dozens of questions, with the basic goal of asking jurors to answer “yes” or “no” whether each device infringes a patent. These questions give way to fill-in-the-blank questions that ask for specific dollar amounts that Samsung is entitled to as a result of Apple’s infringement. To find Apple guilty of patent infringement, the jury must be unanimous.
Each form was written with careful scrutiny by each party, as the word choice can often be the determining factor in swaying a jury one way or the other. Judge Lucy Koh will review the forms and choose which will be the final verdict form that will be submitted to the jury later this week.
The outcome of this case could echo far beyond Apple’s and Samsung’s wallets. Depending on which company prevails, experts believe there will be significant changes of designs in the marketplace in order to avoid any future legal hassles. We’ll keep you posted as the case moves forward.
