Apple/Samsung Trial Begins in Australia

Federal Court Justice Annabelle Bennett yesterday began hearing evidence for an anticipated three-month trial – the latest in a long-running patent dispute between Samsung and Apple.

The Australian dispute – one part of an ongoing fight that has spanned ten countries – centres on the touch-screen technology used in Samsung's new Galaxy 10.1 tablet.

While the Australian case is not likely to have a significant impact in other jurisdictions, lawyers have highlighted the strategic and psychological effect of a win on this front. Lawyers in Europe and the United States will be closely watching the outcome as they develop their own legal strategies.

Apple is the biggest customer for Samsung, who manufactures parts for Apple’s mobile devices. This dispute puts their relationship in jeopardy, and, taking into account the likelihood of appeals, is likely to continue on at least until 2014.

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