Judge Posner Throws Out the Apple & Motorola Lawsuits 'with prejudice.'

[dgstorm]

Perhaps we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the Apple vs the world patent wars, and it may just be the light of reason beckoning in the dark. Apparently, Judge Richard Posner just dismissed the Apple vs. Motorola and the Motorola vs. Apple lawsuits, and he did so "with prejudice" (this means the two companies can't re-file the same lawsuits). Judge Posner confirmed in the strongest legal language what the general public has already known for sometime, and that is that neither Apple nor Motorola could actually prove that any type of damages were incurred and warranted in their cases. Here's a quote from the The Register article with some details,

“Neither party is entitled to an injunction,” Posner writes, because “neither has shown that damages would not be an adequate remedy … the parties have failed to present enough evidence to create a triable issue”. Furthermore, “although both parties asked for injunctive relief, neither named an expert witness who would testify about such relief”.

Posner also skewers Apple’s submissions made after his previous tentative judgment, saying that the company tried to “turn the case into an Apple versus Motorola popularity contest … Apple wanted me to allow into evidence media reports attesting to what a terrific product the iPhone is” – something which Posner said had no bearing on the patent dispute.

He further notes “danger that Apple’s goal in obtaining an injunction is harassment of its bitter rival...The notion that these minor-seeming infringements have cost Apple market share and consumer goodwill is implausible, has virtually no support in the record, and so fails to indicate that the benefits to Apple from an injunction would exceed the costs to Motorola.”

The bottom line is that the Judge decided that neither party is entitled to an Injunction and told them to leave the court and not come back. What is really extra disgusting about this case is the part about how Apple was trying to get the Judge to admit into evidence what an amazing product Apple makes. What did they think this was? Some sort of publicity stunt?

Below you can get a look at the full 38 page legal document at the AllThingsDigital link.

Thanks for the tip, furbearingmammal and cereal killer!

Source: TheRegister.co.uk and AllThingsDigital

 

[jroc]

I forgot all about this.....yea...he basically told Apple to knock it off with the foolishness...lol.

In the 2 and 1/2 years I have been an Android user ...I have learned alot about the old and new Apple.. Maybe its just the mobile division....I dont know... But Apple seems a lil strange at times.

 

[armeddroid]

Apple is so lame. Geez.

 

[MissionImprobable]

The bottom line is that the Judge decided that neither party is entitled to an Injunction and told them to leave the court and not come back. What is really extra disgusting about this case is the part about how Apple was trying to get the Judge to admit into evidence what an amazing product Apple makes. What did they think this was? Some sort of publicity stunt?


Thanks for the tip, furbearingmammal and cereal killer!

Source: TheRegister.co.uk and AllThingsDigital

I'm sure Apple was quite serious about that part. An element of their lawsuit against Samsung included going after them for their commercials that made fun of Apple users who stand in line for days to get the new iDevices. They're drunk on their own cider.

 

[Cripton805]

:hail:

To the judge with this technological mockery.

 

[acousticshade]

Lol, our product is soooo awesome, that's why its no longer in first place.

 

[nikecar]

If the iPhone 5 has the 4in screen, their new ads could say.....

The new iPhone 5, now with 5 by 5 icon homescreens

 

[FoxKat]

Judging by the lack of response (not that there isn't a bigger issue they're dealing with right now - ICS, mind you, but...), says to me, it's been nothing more than a distraction, a waste of money, a publicity stunt, and hurtful to the entire industry, and damn it, we're so done with it. Good riddens Apple - you AND your attorney buddies.