Apple and Samsung argued their patent case in front of the Supreme Court on Tuesday in an effort to determine how much Samsung owes Apple after a 2012 jury found Samsung had infringed on six Apple patents.
At the time, Samsung was ordered to pay $930 million in damages. They are appealing part of the ruling worth $390 million.
The Supreme Court is involved because the case has bigger implications than just the money.
"The Supreme Court took the case to decide whether a company can be required to pay all of its profits on products that infringe someone else’s patented design, or whether infringement damages should be limited only to the portion of profits specifically attributable to the device’s design," The Wall Street Journal reported.
Samsung, unsurprisingly, says an all-profits rule is outrageous and complained it could be likened to "the award of the entire profits on a car for infringement of a patented cup-holder design," the WSJ said.
Samsung is arguing it should only be held liable for some portion of the profit, given the many cutting-edge elements that go into making smartphones.
Meanwhile, Apple argues Samsung is trying to alter longstanding legal rules.
Apple credits its success with the iPhone to "its innovative design including its distinctive front face and colorful graphical touch screen user interface," the WSJ reported.
This legal battle, which has gone on for more than five years, could mean serious consequences in a fast-growing and forever-evolving tech industry where design and creativity plays a major role in every new invention and device change.
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