Microsoft likely to benefit from Apple v Samsung ruling

Apple had a big win this week in America – against Samsung. The court ruled in their favour, hitting Samsung for over a billion dollars in damages. The ramifications for this ruling however will sweep the industry over the coming year.

Many analysts are already highlighting that the Apple victory may cause concern for some of the Android partners who use the same operating system. Google created this and gives it away free to partners who decide to use it. Apple are already claiming that Android violate some of their patents. The Federal Jury in San Jose, California have already said that some of the interface decisions do. Would a company want to build a platform around this now and risk taking on Apple?

Microsoft are most likely to gain from this ruling, long term with their Windows mobile platform. They are already working with Nokia, the once market leader. The Windows platform seems very strong on a patent level and Apple have never had success challenging key features from the Microsoft team.

Google are fighting back already and have said that the verdict involved patent claims that ‘don't relate to the core Android operating system, and several are being re-examined by the U.S. Patent Office.'

Apple are fighting to stop sales for eight Samsung smartphones now.

Bill Cox, senior director of marketing communications for Windows Phone, tweeted “Windows Phone is looking gooooood right now.” We can almost sense the feeling of jubilation within the Microsoft ranks right now.

Horacio Gutierrez, Microsoft's deputy counsel of intellectual property and licensing also tweeted links to articles which are “a shot across the bow of all Android device manufacturers”.

Microsoft are pointing out that their Phones are completely different to Apple and have different features to the iPhone and iPad. This was supported by an Apple lawyer during the case who used a Nokia Lumia Windows Phone as one that ‘looked different from the iPhone.' Apple are already giving them approval.

Kitguru says: The battle is likely to go on for many months to come and Samsung will appeal the ruling, but we feel it will fall on deaf ears.

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