It is difficult to say who is winning the overall fight between Apple and Samsung. Both companies have had some victories and some defeats, and the outcome of the current round of lawsuits is still uncertain. However, it is clear that the battle between these two tech giants is far from over.
Here is a timeline of some of the key events in the Apple-Samsung patent infringement lawsuits:
2011: Apple files a lawsuit against Samsung in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing Samsung of infringing on its patents for several iPhone and iPad features, including the "bounce-back" effect, pinch-to-zoom, and slide-to-unlock features. Samsung files a countersuit, alleging that Apple infringed on its patents for wireless technology.
2012: A jury finds that Samsung infringed on Apple's patents and awards Apple $119 million in damages. Samsung appeals the verdict.
2013: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upholds the jury's verdict, but reduces the damages award to $930 million. Samsung petitions the Supreme Court to review the case.
2016: The Supreme Court declines to review the case, letting the $930 million damages award stand.
2018: The two companies reach a settlement in their patent disputes outside the U.S., agreeing to drop all pending lawsuits and cross-licenses patents for existing phones and tablets.
Despite the settlement, the two companies continue to compete fiercely in the smartphone market. They are regularly locked in lawsuits over patents, design, and technology issues. They remain fierce competitors on smartphones globally.