Apple to Samsung: We licensed essential patents to Microsoft while you refused and just copied us
During testimony in the Apple (AAPL) vs. Samsung (005930) patent trial on Monday, the Cupertino-based company’s patent licensing director Boris Teksler revealed that Apple had previously licensed its design patents to rival Microsoft (MSFT), Reuters reported. The agreement had an “anti-cloning” clause however, that prevents Microsoft from copying Apple’s iPhone and iPad. “There was no right with respect to these design patents to build clones of any type,” Teksler said. Apple previously reached out to Samsung in 2010 in an attempt to license its patents to the South Korean manufacturer, but no agreement was reached. Teksler revealed that Apple offered its rival a number of patents to license, with the exception of those considered critical to the company’s “unique user experience.”
Related stories
Steve Jobs used patents to pressure Bill Gates into 1997 investment in Apple
Nokia exec: In patent wars, Google-Motorola deal won’t help Android at all
