Apple & Samsung deliver closing arguments; we’d be ‘lucky’ to go to verdict

Apple and Samsung issue their closing statements today in a weeks-long trial that could change the way Silicon Valley looks at the idea of “copying” technology.

“If they start deliberating on the verdict today, we’d be lucky,” U.S. Judge Lucy Koh said during the trial.

The drama is almost over. Both Apple and Samsung have put in long nights, mountains of objections, paperwork, and bickering that has proved to be entertaining, if not drawn-out. Apple seeks monetary damages from three of Samsung’s branches and claims that one of these branches coerced the others to also infringe on Apple’s patents. The iPhone and iPad creator says that Samsung blatantly copied its smartphone and tablet technologies, though Samsung argues that Apple actually infringed on Samsung’s intellectual property.

We’re here at the courthouse listening to the closing arguments and perhaps, more importantly, listening for more awesome quotes from Judge Koh. Last week she called for the chief executives of the two companies to talk, try to reach a settlement, and make “peace.” Last night, however, it became apparent that neither settlement nor peace was possible.

But the case has the opportunity to make us look at “copying” through a new lens. It could clarify what is IP and what is just generic technology that’s part of the smartphone “norm.” It could also change the way we look at competition and when “being competitive” meets “stealing.”

Check back with VentureBeat to find out more about the closing statements today. For now, we’ll listen to the jury instructions, which even Koh is worried about staying awake through:

“We’re going to periodically stand up just to make sure we’re still alive.”

Angry Apple image via Shutterstock