Samsung-Apple Patent Fight Turns Nasty

NEW YORK (TheStreet) - In case you were unaware, there is no love lost between technology giant Apple (AAPL) and South Korean company Samsung.

At one point it is difficult to imagine a more intense hatred between two rivals. But I think this situation has (to this point) delivered the goods. The only thing missing is the popcorn.

In their ongoing patent drama over who owns what, Apple's lawyers are asking for approximately $2.5 billion in damages on claims that Samsung developed its current line of smartphones by having copied the iPhone.

In response, Samsung delivered a blow to Apple's jaw Tuesday by suggesting the iPhone's design was not original. In other words, "we can't copy what you didn't create." What's more, Samsung's lawyer insisted to jurors the company discussed Apple products solely from the standpoint of developing its own competitive strategy.

The suit, which includes plenty of witness testimony including Apple's industrial designer Chris Stringer, has brought to light several of the company's never-before-seen prototypes of the iPhone. It was said that close to 40 separate designs including models as well as images were introduced to prove that the iPhone's original design was in fact original, dispelling Samsung's claims to the contrary.

Unlike any other sector, the competition that exists in technology is often brutal and sometimes downright nasty. As soon as a market leader emerges, it immediately becomes the target of every rival in the industry that wants nothing more than to put it out of business. This case is proving just how cutthroat a business these two rivals are in.

Since recently becoming the world's No. 1 device manufacturer, topping Nokia (NOK) in terms of sales, Samsung has earned more than its share of attention from Apple. Samsung's popular Galaxy line, based on Google's (GOOG) Android platform, has proven to be the only true challenger to the iPhones and iPads.

The result has been clear -- Apple is now looking up to Samsung in the overall device sales category.

But apparently Apple believes it has served as too much of an "inspiration" to Samsung's product. A spokeswoman for the company recently said: "We need to protect Apple's intellectual property when companies steal our ideas." But Samsung disagrees, saying they are not Apple's ideas, nor has it stolen them.

I guess imitation is no longer the best form of flattery.

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At the time of publication, the author was long AAPL and held no position in any of the other stocks mentioned.

This article is commentary by an independent contributor, separate from TheStreet's regular news coverage.

Richard Saintvilus is a private investor with an information technology and engineering background and has been investing and trading for over 15 years. He employs conservative strategies in assessing equities and appraising value while minimizing downside risk. His decisions are based in part on management, growth prospects, return on equity and price-to-earnings as well as macroeconomic factors. He is an investor who seeks opportunities whether on the long or short side and believes in changing positions as information changes.