Apple vs Samsung

The most famous trial occurred in 2012, when a federal jury in California awarded Apple over $1 billion in damages. The trial centered on Apple's claims that Samsung copied the design and features of the iPhone. The legal battles between the two companies spanned multiple continents and several years.

The court ultimately ruled largely in favor of Apple, finding that Samsung had infringed on several utility and design patents, including the "slide-to-unlock" feature. While the initial billion-dollar award was later reduced and the two companies reached a settlement in 2018, the trial cemented the importance of design patents. The case was eventually settled out of court.

While Apple won the most high-profile legal victories in the US courts, the outcome globally was mixed, with both sides winning minor skirmishes. Ultimately, neither company achieved a market-crippling injunction against the other. The true "winner" was the patent system itself, which saw a massive increase in design patent filings as a result of the case.

Yes, they remain fierce competitors in the global smartphone and tablet markets, consistently vying for the top spot in market share. However, their relationship is highly complex because Samsung is also one of Apple's primary suppliers for OLED displays and memory chips. They compete in retail stores while simultaneously relying on each other for manufacturing.