APPLE Vs. SAMSUNG

Samsung lost the mobile phone case against Apple in the US and is ordered to pay a billion Dollar as compensation. Surely Samsung can pay the money but this verdict has ramifications that transcend the Apple- Samsung war.

It is a fact that the originality of the design completely belongs to Apple. Whatever we see in Samsung, HTC and similar company devices are nothing but imitations of Apple. Samsung and others had been ably assisted by Google, the makers of Android operating system. So the verdict puts Google too on the dock.

It could also be the beginning of Apple going after many others who imitates its design and patent.  About 4 months back, we were in Hong Kong and found brisk sale of I-Phone imitations in high volumes.  Though it is not easy to catch the thief in China, there will definitely be a lull in the clandestine production of I-Phone clones.

In this knowledge economy, cases like this projects the importance of design, trademark and patents. It gives thumbs up to authentic original research that is being undertaken by firms like Apple. No wonder the Apple market capitalization has gone into all-time highest and into the record books. Post Steve Jobs, this is a fine turn of event for Apple Inc., for most of experts predicted the shares to go bearish on longer term, after the demise of its founder.

The flip side of the story is the monopolistic tendency that this development could create for Apple. It is definitely not a good development for the consumers. Apple is not very famous for democratising the prices of its products and it always charged a premium.

That necessitates the imminent need to go for original research for an alternatives design to compete with Apple I-Phones & I-Pads. Necessity being the mother of invention, I am sure Samsung, Google, HTC etc. would now be burning more midnight oil to for an alternative design. Till then it is going to be Apple Times!

The developments give lots of fillip to Microsoft. It was very worried about the growth of Android and all those tie-ups with leading companies such as Nokia has not helped its cause. Windows 8 could encash upon this opportunity. Speed is the essence here. Is Microsoft ready to plunge in headlong NOW?

I am sure we shall hear more frequently about the developments on this technology front. Stay tuned…………….