Samsung taking Apple case to US Supreme Court

After the U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Samsung last week, refusing Samsung’s request for a new trial. Apple can appeal the finding to other sections of the Patent Office, and finally to the federal court system as well, a process that can hold-up the outcome for years.

Many tech companies are involved in patent disputes around the world, but the Apple-Samsung case has drawn unique attention as they are both leaders in the smartphone and computer market. At the time of this 2012 trial, Samsung lambasted Apple for trying to steal it’s owned round rectangles, but the US patent 677 has so far held the reigns tightly and formed part of the mighty jury award that is still being discussed. The Supreme Court doesn’t have to agree to take the case, and it’s said that that decision could be made by June 2016. This meant Samsung still owes Apple a whopping $548 million in patent infringements. The USPTO has determined that the ‘677 patent is not entitled tot he filing date of earlier Apple design patents, which it had been mistakenly given during examination. Samsung, meanwhile, has challenged the validity of the ruling itself, appealing to higher courts in hopes of having the verdict in Apple’s favor overturned. Meanwhile, Samsung has filed a motion to stay execution of a mandate.

Most petitions to the Supreme Court are not taken up by the body.