Samsung to depose Apple's iPhone designers, including Jony Ive

Posted:
in iPhone edited January 2014
By the end of the month, Samsung plans to have depositions from a number of Apple designers, including senior vice president Jonathan Ive, in its ongoing patent infringement suit.



Ive and other designers were originally scheduled to provide their deposition by Nov. 1. But that deadline was extended last month when Samsung learned that the witnesses would be unavailable before that date.



Now, Ive and others are scheduled to provide their deposition by Dec. 1, as discovered by Edible Apple. The Apple employees' respective testimonies will be used as part of the expedited trial scheduled to begin July 30, 2012.



Others scheduled to take part in the depositions include Christopher Stringer, a designer who is among those credited with designing the first iPod, along with industrial designer Shin Nishibori. An ex-Apple employee, Doug Satzger, is also among those listed; Satzger worked at Apple for 12 years before he left in 2008.



But the biggest name on the list is Ive, Apple's widely praised design chief who shares credit with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs on more than 200 patented inventions. Ive was also a close friend of Jobs, and the late CEO left the designer with no true boss, putting him in a position with more power than anyone else at Apple.







Apple first sued Samsung in April, accusing its rival of copying the look and feel of its popular iPhone and iPad products, and Samsung quickly countersued. Though their legal battle began in the U.S., where the scheduled depositions will apply, the showdown has spread throughout the globe with numerous lawsuits. Apple has found the most initial success, winning bans on the sale of Samsung devices in Australia and Germany.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 131
    At this point, Apple might want to seriously consider walking away from its supplier contract with Samsung.
  • Reply 2 of 131
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by anantksundaram View Post


    At this point, Apple might want to seriously consider walking away from its supplier contract with Samsung.



    I've always felt that Apple has plans in that direction for its huge pile of cash. Maybe owning a fab plant wouldn't be that bad for Apple. It's definitely one direction where they could really grow the company.
  • Reply 3 of 131
    conradjoeconradjoe Posts: 1,887member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by anantksundaram View Post


    At this point, Apple might want to seriously consider walking away from its supplier contract with Samsung.



    They have nowhere to go. They are pretty much without any choice but to enrich Samsung.
  • Reply 4 of 131
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    Apple has certainly invited attacks by going just a tad over the edge with their attempts to keep viable competitors out of the marketplace. Some good news today that might give Apple pause and perhaps slow the pace of legal filings.



    http://fosspatents.blogspot.com/2011...t-against.html



    (As an aside, this is the first anti-Apple article I've seen from Florian)



    Apple filing criminal charges was waaayy over the top IMHO. Sometimes the little guy does get a break.
  • Reply 5 of 131
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ConradJoe View Post


    They have nowhere to go. They are pretty much without any choice but to enrich Samsung.



    TSMC, anyone?



    (That's the right acronym, right?)
  • Reply 6 of 131
    shompashompa Posts: 343member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by anantksundaram View Post


    At this point, Apple might want to seriously consider walking away from its supplier contract with Samsung.



    Apple should spend some of its 80 billion on Blackwater security and just invade south Korea and give it to North Korea.



    North Korea is now more rational and innovative then Samsung.
  • Reply 7 of 131
    shompashompa Posts: 343member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by anantksundaram View Post


    At this point, Apple might want to seriously consider walking away from its supplier contract with Samsung.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post


    TSMC, anyone?



    (That's the right acronym, right?)



    I still believe that TSMC will produce A6 since Apple have taped out a design at them.



    The problem is displays, flash memory and other components that Apple buys from Samsung. Many of these factories have been funded by Apple. (For example the 1 billion pre payment for flash memory in 2005).



    This is how huge Samsung's betrayal is.

    Apple is their largest customer with 8-10 billion of sales. About 7-9% of Samsung's revenue. Is it enough for Samsung? No. They use their knowledge of Apple parts for tablets/phones and make almost identical products with Android.



    This will always be a problem as long as companies outsource components to OEM's. The OEM's gets the design and can make their own version of the products.
  • Reply 8 of 131
    maecvsmaecvs Posts: 129member
    Who do these Samsung idiots think they are? They want the iPhone source code, they want to interview anyone who has a hand at Apple's helm. What next. Why don't we just save time and hand over the keys to the kingdom to these __________. (Fill in colourful metaphor).



    Time to put an end to Sammy's antics!!!
  • Reply 9 of 131
    Samsung just appears to be grabbing at straws here. Are they going to try to get Apple Designers to say they stole designs before Samsung stole them. Not sure of the point of this. And the Source code... not a chance.



    Also, I don't believe Apple is going "over the edge" trying to protect their look and developments, but yes, they aren't being as amicable as Microsoft is. Given Microsoft is not making money on their Mobile OS and make more money licensing tech to Android builders. If Microsoft was in Apple's position they would do the same.
  • Reply 10 of 131
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by island hermit View Post


    I've always felt that Apple has plans in that direction for its huge pile of cash. Maybe owning a fab plant wouldn't be that bad for Apple. It's definitely one direction where they could really grow the company.



    I've got to admit that from where I'm sitting for Apple to take control of its own chip manufacturing seems like a good way to go. But then there is the issue of screens and memory. Getting out of manufacturing and reducing inventory was one of Tim Cook's babies. It saved Apple shedloads of money. I am not sure Apple wants to get back into manufacturing.
  • Reply 11 of 131
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by paxman View Post


    I've got to admit that from where I'm sitting for Apple to take control of its own chip manufacturing seems like a good way to go. But then there is the issue of screens and memory. Getting out of manufacturing and reducing inventory was one of Tim Cook's babies. It saved Apple shedloads of money. I am not sure Apple wants to get back into manufacturing.



    You're most likely right. Having its own fab plant might seem like a good option in some respects but we are talking about Tim Cook... and there is no bloody way in hell that he will ever involve Apple in manufacturing.
  • Reply 12 of 131
    chris_cachris_ca Posts: 2,543member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Gatorguy View Post


    Apple has certainly invited attacks by going just a tad over the edge with their attempts to keep viable competitors out of the marketplace.



    Apple is not attempting to keep viable competitors out of the market.

    They are attempting to keep other from releasing iPads.

    Quote:

    Apple filing criminal charges was waaayy over the top



    Apple cannot file criminal charges. That is up to the district attorney/justice department.

    Apple can complain to authorities and the authorities may file charges.
  • Reply 13 of 131
    linkgx1linkgx1 Posts: 742member
    Samsung doesn't need Apple. Apple doesn't need Samsung. They should part ways. Both are large enough companies as it is.
  • Reply 14 of 131
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Chris_CA View Post


    Apple is not attempting to keep viable competitors out of the market.

    They are attempting to keep other from releasing iPads.



    Apple cannot file criminal charges. That is up to the district attorney/justice department.

    Apple can complain to authorities and the authorities may file charges.



    According to FOSSPatents Florian Mueller, Apple filed a criminal complaint, in addition to the civil one.



    Do you think attempting to get criminal charges lodged was out-of-bounds or a proper move by Apple?
  • Reply 15 of 131
    linkgx1linkgx1 Posts: 742member
    Steve Jobs would use every single cash reserve to sue Android. Why not just get away from Samsung all together?
  • Reply 16 of 131
    Apple CAN'T compete. They just run ahead of the pack. They get scared when competition comes (weird, as it's capitalism that got them to where they are). Don't people get that Apple has been more irreleveant in it's history than relevant? Only in the past 10 years (one could argue even a little less) have they become a viable company. Don't go knocking eggs. With the death of your leader you stand the true test.



    Just like the Romans.
  • Reply 17 of 131
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by anantksundaram View Post


    At this point, Apple might want to seriously consider walking away from its supplier contract with Samsung.





    Methinks that has always been part of the long term plan.
  • Reply 18 of 131
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by shompa View Post


    ....This will always be a problem as long as companies outsource components to OEM's. The OEM's gets the design and can make their own version of the products.



    Exactly. First to market does not a long term winner always make.



    But first to market AND market share is a winning formula (think iPod).

    So, in I think in a sense, IMO, Apple is protecting Market share more than design... just a thought.
  • Reply 19 of 131
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    Ive was also a close friend of Jobs, and the late CEO left the designer with no true boss, putting him in a position with more power than anyone else at Apple.



    Sorry, but that is an absurd statement. At minimum Ive is subject to the control of the board, just like Cook. So he is not the most powerful; he has at least one peer.



    And I would be extremely surprised if Cook could not fire him, although he may need permission from the board or the COB, but that is not unusual for very high-level employees.
  • Reply 20 of 131
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    All this straw grasping seems very desperate on Samsung's part.





    Quote:
    Originally Posted by anantksundaram View Post


    At this point, Apple might want to seriously consider walking away from its supplier contract with Samsung.



    Samsung and Apple are large enough to shake hands whilst punching it out. Though it does look like Apple is moving away from Samsung in many areas? though I'm sure they will move back soon enough.
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