Today’s verdict justly comes on the anniversary of Steve Jobs voluntarily stepping down from his leadership role @ Apple. This issue with competitors was a chief concern for Apple’s CEO and I am sure he would be very pleased with this victory. The California jury decision is not only a win for Steve Jobs and Apple, it is a win for all American businesses that value the ideals of true and fair competition. Samsung’s distasteful public statement after the verdict is only further proof that Samsung just does not get it. Ingrained in their company’s culture is the concept that competing in business is only a matter of efficient production irregardless of the products origin, environmental concerns or working conditions. Apple plays by the rules agreed upon by international business and so should Samsung. While most Pacific Rim corporations follow a business model of copying other companies innovation and reproducing a less expensive version, Samsung has deliberately crossed the line by stealing trusted information from their own client and using it to compete against their own client.
Apple said in a statement provided to The Loop.
“The mountain of evidence presented during the trial showed that Samsung’s copying went far deeper than even we knew. The lawsuits between Apple and Samsung were about much more than patents or money. They were about values. At Apple, we value originality and innovation and pour our lives into making the best products on earth. We make these products to delight our customers, not for our competitors to flagrantly copy. We applaud the court for finding Samsung’s behavior willful and for sending a loud and clear message that stealing isn’t right.
”Click on the links below for two previous columns and a more in-depth analysis.
