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Samsung calls more patents into question, with claims of Apple copying

We reported yesterday that Apple rested its case in the Apple vs. Samsung trial and that Samsung took the stand to begin its 25 hours to explain its side of the story. Samsung called Harvard University professor Woodward Yang to the stand today to continue laying its accusations against Apple. According to Samsung, Apple’s iPhone and iPad infringed on its patents that cover emailing pictures from photo albums and the act of playing music from the device. According to Yang, who is Samsung’s fourth witness, Apple used Samsung’s technology for inspiration. He further noted that Samsung filed for the patents before Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007.

Apple made similar accusations against Samsung last week, claiming the South Korean-based company looked closely at Apple’s iPhone and iPad as a building block for many of its early Android devices. Apple finished its case by asserting Samsung owes $2.5 billion to $2.7 billion in damages. Samsung simultaneously attempted to get the case withdrawn, but it was denied. We learned a treasure trove of information from key witnesses during Apple’s time on the stand. Some of the more important bits included Apple licensing iOS patents to Microsoft, how the original iPhone was thought up, and that Steve Jobs was receptive to a 7-inch iPad.

Samsung brought Apple’s patents into view yet another time during proceedings yesterday. Calling Adam Bogue to the stand, formerly of Mitsubishi, Samsung attempted to make a case that Apple looked to a touchscreen surface, called “the DiamondTouch table”,  introduced in 2001 for inspiration. Samsung explained that Apple did not originate the technology behind its patents but rather copied off prior technology. The Verge reported:

Developed in 2001 at the Mitsubishi Electronic Research Laboratory (MERL), the DiamondTouch featured two particularly-relevant pieces of software: Fractal Zoom, an application that allowed users to manipulate images using multiple fingers, and Tablecloth…The latter allows users to pull an image down in a window, revealing a duplicate image right above it; letting go causes the image to snap back to its original position, providing a visual effect that appeared quite similar to Apple’s bounce-back effect. The DiamondTouch was easily accessible in the MERL lobby for anyone to access, leaving open the possibility that anyone in Cupertino could have seen the device — in fact, Bogue revealed that he’d even given a demonstration to Apple itself in 2003.

Former Samsung designer Jeeyuen Wang took the stand today. She defended herself and said she did not look to the iOS’ icon as inspiration. “On average, Wang said that she got about two to three hours of sleep a night, which ultimately affected her physical health and left her unable to feed her newborn child,” reported CNET.

In related news, Judge Koh expressed anger in the courtroom this morning. She displayed distrust against both Apple and Samsung’s lawyers. CNET reported that Koh became frustrated when Apple and Intel attempted to block Samsung’s witness Tim Williams from testifying. According to both Apple and Intel, Williams has several NDAs that should prohibit him from taking the stand. Koh lit up:

“I want papers,” Koh told the court on Tuesday after Apple objected to one of Samsung’s witnesses. “I don’t trust what any lawyer tells me in this courtroom. I want to see actual papers.”

It is interesting that Samsung is taking a similar offense as Apple, maintaining Apple rips off a slew of its products. Samsung is also sure to bring up a ton of more instances, because closing statements are still expected to be a week away.

Things are continuing this afternoon. We will update you with the latest.

Image via PocketNow

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