What could prove to be an important step in deciding whether Samsung indeed did copy Apple’s design in its Galaxy phones, Cupertino’s Head of Licensing admitted during the trial today that Microsoft licensed a number of design patents.
According to Apple’s patent licensing director, Boris Teksler, told the court that Microsoft paid substantial sums to license Apple’s design patents on the grounds that they would never be “cloned” or copied in any way. The same offer was given to Samsung in 2010, which was turned down due to the high cost per unit.
Though Microsoft was able to use certain design elements of Apple’s “unique user interface,” none of the core features could be copied. This ensured that Windows Phone would never look the same, or even close, to iOS, even if a small number of features were mimicked.
The trial continues this week in California.
Via: Reuters
