In a breather to South Korean smartphone maker Samsung, a U.S. appeals court has overturned a USD 120 million jury verdict against the company in the longstanding patent dispute with the technology giant Apple.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., said Samsung Electronics Co Ltd did not infringe Apple's 'quick links' patent, and that two other patents covering the iPhone's slide-to-unlock and auto-correct features were invalid, Reuters reported.
However, the court also said Apple was liable for infringing one of Samsung's patents.
"Today's decision is a win for consumer choice and puts competition back where it belongs - in the marketplace, not in the courtroom," a Samsung spokeswoman said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Apple declined to comment on the development.