Samsung beats Apple

[mu03eng]

.....in the Supreme Court

https://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-apple-scores-supreme-court-win-patent-design-infringement-case/

The long and the short of it seems to be that the SCOTUS says that a patent of a component does not extend to the value of an entire device that utilizes that protected "component". So if I invent this amazing device and Apple patented a piece of the technology I use and did so without their permission, previous to this ruling Apple could sue for the full revenue I generated with the whole device, now SCOTUS seems to be saying only the value associated with the component can be won in court.

I'm not a legal scholar nor a patent attorney but this does seem to weaken some of the power of predatory IP companies as the reward is potentially smaller. Also think it could increase innovation as people will take more risk that something might be covered under patent but move forward because as long as it's not the "whole" device they are only risking the revenue they would have had to pay for the license anyway.

Thoughts?

[warriorchick]

Maybe SCOTUS is saying that  if Daimler Benz stole your nifty lugnut design, you aren't entitled to the value of the entire Mercedes.  That seems reasonable.

It was a unanimous decision, so it sounds to me like it was a no-brainer.