Samsung Electronics has been ordered to pay $11.6 million (approximately 16.1 billion won) in damages for infringing the trademark rights of the Swiss watch brand 'Swatch'.
According to foreign media reports including the UK's Financial Times (FT) on the 26th (local time), London's High Court made this ruling in a lawsuit filed by Swatch Group against Samsung Electronics seeking $170 million (approximately 235.7 billion won).
The case arose after Swatch Group filed a lawsuit over Samsung Electronics' permission to sell watch face apps that copied the appearance of Swatch brand watches through its own app store between 2015 and 2019.
In response, Samsung Electronics argued that Swatch Group suffered no actual damage and that revenue generated for Samsung Electronics was only $300. It also stated that Swatch Group's demands were excessive since the watch face apps in question were created by third parties, not directly by Samsung Electronics.
However, the court ruled that Samsung's app store infringed on Swatch Group's trademark rights, as the low-priced apps damaged Swatch Group's brand. The court subsequently determined the specific compensation amount on this day.
Regarding this matter, Samsung Electronics stated, "We are carefully reviewing the High Court's judgment and will consider response measures including an appeal."
in TECH
