Judge denies Apple request to ban Samsung phones

Scott Martin, USA TODAY | USA TODAY

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge late Monday dealt Apple a major blow in its landmark battle with Samsung, denying the company's request to ban U.S. sales of smartphones from the South Korean electronics giant.

U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh rejected Apple's request, stating that the Cupertino, Calif., computer maker has not been able to show that Samsung's actions support an injunction.

"Apple's evidence does not establish that any of Apple's three design patents covers a particular feature that actually drives consumer demand," Judge Koh wrote in the order.

A San Jose jury in August found Samsung violated six of Apple's patents and awarded a whopping $1 billion in damages. Jurors had sided with Apple in deciding that Samsung had violated key designs covering iPads and iPhones.

"The Court further found that though there was some evidence of loss of market share, Apple had not established that Samsung's infringement of Apple's design patents caused that loss," the judge wrote.

Three of the patents at issue were ones familiar to most consumers. The patents cover familiar touch functions that allow Apple device users to easily scroll pages, zoom out on images or tap to enlarge text, all with fingers.

On the heels of the jury ruling, Apple had sought the ban of 26 Samsung devices from U.S. stores.

Judge Koh did not issue an order on the amount of damages by late Monday. Apple had sought them increased by as much as $500 million and Samsung had sought them greatly reduced.

Separately, Judge Koh issued an order denying Samsung's motion for a new trial. In its request for a new trial, Samsung had argued that jury foreman Velvin Hogan had been involved in a lawsuit years ago with Seagate.