Samsung and Apple have long battled each other in many courts around the world for patent infringement but it appears that Samsung might come to its rivals aid in its recent patent battle. In February a jury declared that Apple's iTunes infringed on patents owned by Smartflash LLC, a licensing firm based in Texas, and that it has to pay $533 million in damages. Samsung is also being sued by Smartflash over the same technology but the Korean company has convinced regulators in the United States to review whether or not Smartflash should have been awarded these patents in the first place. If the review turns out in Samsung's favor not only will it be beneficial for the Korean conglomerate but it will also end up saving Apple $533 million.
Patents owned by Smartflash cover methods of controlling access to digital content through payment systems. The licensing firm claims in its complaint that the inventor of this patent, Patrick Racz, originally wanted to commercialize this invention in 2002 with pop singer Britney Spears. Justin Oliver, who leads Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto’s office for contested patent office proceedings, says it might not be too easy for Apple to hold off on paying damages until the outcome of Samsung's patent review. “If it’s forced to pay damages, it’s very difficult to get that back,” he said. It will take about a year until the final decision comes on the view because first a panel of judges will hear arguments from both Smartflash and Samsung.
