Samsung’s Appeal Against Apple Rejected By Federal Circuit, US Supreme Court

Samsung’s argument for a rehearing of the case was based on the premise that the Federal Circuit reviews the case with a 12-judge roster, claiming that the three-judge panel might have overlooked things.

Samsung’s hopes of scuttling a massive fine on alleged patent infringement of Apple products have been dashed, leaving the company with only two options: break out the cash or try its luck with the US Supreme Court, according to a report.

The U.S. Appeals Court ruled on May 18, 2015 that Apple’s patented designs on its signature iPhone mobile phone had been copied by chief rival Samsung Electronics. Samsung’s request for a rehearing was backed by several other tech companies last month, including Google, Facebook, Dell, HP, eBay, and many others.

The Federal Circuit, however, rejected Samsung’s appeal of the patent violations, prompting the company’s bid on Wednesday to get the judges to reconsider.

Samsung appealed a San Jose jury’s August 2012 verdict that it violated Apple’s patent or trademark rights in 23 products, such as the Galaxy S2 smartphone, as well as about $930 million in damages awarded to the iPhone maker.

An Apple representative wasn’t immediately available for comment. Samsung was appealing approximately $399 million in damages that it feels were wrongly awarded.

Samsung hasn’t commented on the latest blow in its patent infringement fight with Apple. These companies along with Samsung fear that if the decision is left in favor of Apple, would leave a devastating impact on the companies and would not promote fair and healthy competition.

That part of the verdict – which has been pared from an original judgment of $1 billion – accounts for about $400 million of the $548 million in damages Samsung still must pay Apple from their first trial. That case also has been appealed to the Federal Circuit. While the company may attempt to go to the Supreme Court, actually getting the highest court in the land to hear the case could prove extremely hard, given the high number of cases it turns down each year.