The Korea Herald reports that Samsung has been slapped with a hefty $117.7 million fine after a US federal jury found the electronics giant guilty of patent infringement against Maxell. This all unfolded in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas recently, where the jury decided Samsung's Galaxy smartphones, tablets, and a few other gadgets were using three of Maxell's patents without permission.
These patents cover key functions like how you unlock your device, how digital data is managed, and the way images and videos are reproduced. Samsung has not officially commented on whether an appeal is forthcoming, but initial verdicts in these patent disputes are frequently challenged.
Now, you might remember Maxell from its iconic "Blown Away Guy" audio cassette ads or its dominance in the recording media scene back in the day. Originally a battery maker (the name stands for "Maximum capacity dry cell"), Maxell became a household name for its tapes and floppy disks before shifting more towards industrial components, although it still makes some consumer electronics like batteries and projectors.
This particular legal fight officially kicked off back in September 2023 when Maxell sued Samsung. Maxell alleged that the Korean giant was violating seven patents by making and selling a whole range of products, including the SmartThings station, various smartphones, laptops, and even home appliances.
The relationship between these two companies was not always so sour; back in 2011, Samsung actually signed a licensing agreement with Hitachi Consumer Electronics, which was Maxell's predecessor. That deal covered ten patents and ran for ten years, expiring in 2021. Maxell asserts Samsung continued using the patented technology post-expiry and ignored attempts to negotiate a new agreement, leaving Maxell, in its view, with no option but to pursue legal remedies.
Maxell is also pursuing Samsung in Germany, Japan, and before the US International Trade Commission, and even filed another patent lawsuit against Samsung in Texas this past April.
Source: The Korea Herald
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