Australian Judge Calls Samsung vs Apple Patent Suit “Ridiculous” – We’d Have To Agree
In the Apple/Samsung patent spat in Australia, Federal Court Justice Annabelle Bennett is calling the entire case “ridiculous” further adding the dispute (over Samsung’s wireless 3G patents) should be directly sent to mediation. Bennett asked lawyers on both sides today:
“Why on earth are these proceedings going ahead? It’s just ridiculous. A similar dispute between any other two companies would be immediately ordered to mediation. Why shouldn’t I order the parties to mediation?”
The trial that started today in Australia is set to run for the next 3 months but appears as if the judge overseeing the case is echoing a sentiment held by US Judge Posner, who threw out the Apple vs Motorola case earlier this month, comparing patent litigants to “animals.”
Samsung’s case was filed in response to Apple’s earlier claim that Samsung had stolen the design of the iPhone and iPad for use in Samsung’s own devices. Now, according to Samsung, Apple’s iPhone is in violation of three of the company’s 3G patents relating to the transmission of wireless data, and Apple refused to pay for licensing fees. But, Apple said they were willing to pay up, but Samsung had refused their offer.
Sounds like a lotta “he said, she said” drama for your mamma…