Samsung ordered to pay $112 million for violating device unlocking, other patents

Samsung has been hit with a patent violation judgement, which is asking it to pay $112 million. It was ruled by a US District Court that the South Korean firm infringed upon three patents from Japanese firm Maxell. However, Samsung can appeal to a higher court if it isn't satisfied with the judgement.

According to a report from Korea Herald, a jury in the US District Court in Texarkana, Texas, said in its verdict that Samsung's Galaxy smartphones, Galaxy tablets, SmartThings Station, and other home appliances infringe three patents (numbers 8,982,086, 10,176,848 and 11,017,815) by Maxell. They are related to innovative methods of device unlocking, information processing, networking, and reproduction of images and videos.

While Maxell requested nearly $130 in damages, the jury ordered Samsung to pay nearly $112 million for violating Maxell's patents.

Maxell sued Samsung in 2023 over a wide range of electronics related patents that it said Samsung violated. Back in 2011, Samsung signed an agreement with Hitachi Consumer Electronics (parent firm back then) to use ten patents from Maxell for a period of ten years. However, the company refused to renew its agreement after the period expired in 2021 and continued to use them in its products.

When contacted by Maxell, Samsung said those patents are now invalid. Maxell then filed cases against Samsung in multiple markets, including Germany, Japan, and the USA. It remains to be seen if Samsung agrees to pay Maxell or seeks a higher court and continues its legal battle.