Apple CEO Tim Cook: Samsung’s copying went ‘far deeper’ than we knew

In the wake of Apple’s $1.05 billion landslide victory against Samsung, CEO Tim Cook has sent a memo to employees saying that, for Apple, the lawsuit had been all about “values” and that Samsung’s infringement went “far deeper” than the company had originally thought, 9to5Mac reports.

After just a few days of deliberation, the jury in the Apple v. Samsung trial, one of the most closely watched intellectual property lawsuits in recent memory, found Samsung guilty of willful infringement, while finding Apple hadn’t infringed any of its rival’s patents.

In addition to the damages payment, the South Korean electronics maker may also have to submit to a US sales ban on its infringing devices. A hearing to decide the matter is scheduled for September 20.

In his memo, Cook reportedly said that Friday was an “important day” not just for Apple, but also innovators around the world. He noted that Apple had gone into the lawsuit “reluctantly” after contacting Samsung with multiple requests to stop copying.

“For us this lawsuit has always been about something much more important than patents or money. It’s about values. We value originality and innovation and pour our lives into making the best products on earth,” the letter read.

The executive also went on to say that Apple owes the jury a “debt of gratitude” for the time they spent listening to the company’s story, which it was “thrilled to finally have the opportunity to tell.”

“The mountain of evidence presented during the trial showed that Samsung’s copying went far deeper than we knew,” he said.

He also echoed an earlier statement from Apple by noting that it applauds the jury for sending the message that “stealing isn’t right.”

The full email as obtained by 9to5Mac:

Today was an important day for Apple and for innovators everywhere.

Many of you have been closely following the trial against Samsung in San Jose for the past few weeks. We chose legal action very reluctantly and only after repeatedly asking Samsung to stop copying our work. For us this lawsuit has always been about something much more important than patents or money. It’s about values. We value originality and innovation and pour our lives into making the best products on earth. And we do this to delight our customers, not for competitors to flagrantly copy.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the jury who invested their time in listening to our story. We were thrilled to finally have the opportunity to tell it. The mountain of evidence presented during the trial showed that Samsung’s copying went far deeper than we knew.

The jury has now spoken. We applaud them for finding Samsung’s behavior willful and for sending a loud and clear message that stealing isn’t right.

I am very proud of the work that each of you do.

Today, values have won and I hope the whole world listens.

Tim

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Additional reading:

Samsung played a game of chicken and lost. Or did it?

The Apple vs Samsung Verdict – Here’s what it means for you