6 days ago
Samsung Ordered To Pay $11.6 Million Over Swatch Apps
Samsung allowed smartwatch apps with designs resembling Swatch Group’s famous watch brands.
The apps were available in Samsung’s app store between 2015 and 2019.
A court had already decided that the designs broke trademark rules.
Swatch Group asked for about $170 million.
Samsung said the payment should be about $300.
The judge ordered Samsung to pay $11.6 million instead.
He said cheap or free copies could hurt the brands’ reputation and exclusivity.
Samsung is considering whether to appeal the decision.
The UK High Court ordered Samsung Electronics to pay Swatch Group $11.6 million.
The dispute involved digital watch faces offered through Samsung’s app store from 2015 to 2019.
A previous ruling found trademark infringement involving 10 Swatch Group brands, including Omega, Longines and Breguet.
Swatch sought about $170 million, while Samsung argued compensation should be roughly $300.
Samsung is reviewing the judgment and may appeal, while separate US proceedings remain pending.
- Who
- Samsung Electronics and Swatch Group, with Judge Marcus Smith issuing the ruling.
- What
- Samsung was ordered to pay $11.6 million for allowing trademark-infringing smartwatch applications.
- Where
- The ruling was issued by the UK High Court and concerned approximately 160,000 downloads across Europe.
- When
- The applications were available from 2015 to 2019; the damages ruling was reported after the High Court judgment.
- Why
- The court found that digital watch faces replicated trademarks belonging to 10 Swatch Group brands and could damage their reputation and exclusivity.
Swatch Group
Samsung Electronics
Compensation
Swatch Group
Swatch Group argued that Samsung owed substantial compensation for using its well-known trademarks and initially sought about $170 million.
Samsung Electronics
Samsung argued that any compensation should be limited to roughly $300 and is considering all legal options, including an appeal.
Brand harm
Swatch Group
Swatch Group said the ruling recognized the commercial importance of protecting brands built and promoted over decades.
Samsung Electronics
Samsung was criticized by the judge for appearing to minimize the significance of the infringement and the value of the trademarks.
Legal outcome
Swatch Group
Swatch Group welcomed the judgment and accused Samsung of repeatedly understating the compensation owed.
Samsung Electronics
Samsung said it was reviewing the High Court’s judgment and would consider whether to appeal.
Key facts
- Award
- $11.6 million ordered by the UK High Court
- Claim sought
- Swatch Group initially sought approximately $170 million
- Samsung’s position
- Samsung argued compensation should be limited to roughly $300
- Affected brands
- Ten Swatch Group brands, including Omega, Longines and Breguet
- Applications period
- 2015 to 2019
- Downloads considered
- Approximately 160,000 infringing application downloads across Europe
- Further proceedings
- Separate proceedings involving the same brands are pending before a US court
Sources
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