Tokyo’s District Court rules in favor of Apple in Samsung patent dispute

Apple didn’t infringe on Samsung data communications patents and won’t have to pay any damages, a Tokyo District Court has ruled. Samsung had filed a lawsuit that brought Apple’s iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPad 2 into the crosshairs. “We are disappointed by the court’s decision,” an emailed statement from Samsung reads. “Upon a thorough review of the ruling, we will determine which measures to take, including an appeal.” The two companies have been engaged in a long-running global legal battle, mostly focused around the accusation that Samsung Android-based products are “slavishly” copied from the iPhone and iPad. Although both sides have scored individual victories, the battle has largely gone in Apple’s favor. In 2012 a US jury awarded Apple $1.05 billion in damages; subsequent court developments have brought that amount down.