Samsung hit with $117M fine over patent infringement

Samsung found itself under a patent infringement case filed with the U.S. District Court in Texarkana, Texas. The court reached an early verdict and ordered Samsung to pay out $117.7 million in damages. The plaintiff? Maxell (formerly Hitachi Maxell), whose patents related to Galaxy smartphone and tablet unlocking tech, data management and smart home platforms were violated.

The current case was initially filed back in September 2023 when Maxell accused Samsung of violating seven of its patents by selling a variety of products, including the SmartThings station alongside smartphones, laptops and home appliances all using Maxell's patented tech.

Samsung SmartThings station

According to a report shared by The Korea Herald, Samsung licensed Maxell’s patents for the duration of ten years back in 2011. Once the initial agreement expired in 2021, Samsung continued using the patented tech without renegotiating its license with Maxell. The Japanese company then filed legal complaints across several district courts across the U.S, Germany and Japan.

Samsung can appeal the current district court decision to a higher court, and is expected to do so, which means this legal battle is far from over.

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