Trial Verdict Could Benefit Samsung More Than Apple, Blogs Say

Despite winning more than $1 billion in its trial against Samsung, Apple’s victory may backfire.

At least that’s according to a blog post by Enrique Gutierrez, chief technology officer of Digithrive, a Los-Angeles based Internet development and design firm.

In a Saturday post on Google+, Gutierrez describes sitting in a Starbucks, and overhearing four separate groups of people make the same conclusion about the Apple-Samsung verdict: that the two companies are effectively one and the same.

“They don’t know the details, they don’t really care, what they know is Apple is saying that Samsung is the same as Apple,” he writes. “And with one simple Google Search, you get prices that are basically half for what seems to be the same products.”

The highly publicized trial involved Apple accusing Samsung of patent infringement.

Two of the four groups that Gutierrez encountered asked him about his Samsung QX410 laptop and Galaxy phone. One husband-and-wife duo expressed shock at the former’s comparatively cheap retail price tag of $700.

The couple even considered returning their iPad after looking up Samsung’s tablet online, according to the post.

“‘Samsung’s iPad is the same as Apple’s iPad, and I paid how much for the Apple one? Honey, I told you they were a rip-off,’” the husband said.

Another man said the verdict made him “‘think twice’” about the amount he paid for his MacBook.

In an ironic twist, Samsung’s loss could be its gain, Gutierrez concludes: “Best billion dollar ad campaign Samsung ever had.”

Noted tech expert Robert Scoble says the verdict also benefited Samsung, but for different reasons. On his Facebook page, Scoble says copying Apple was a smart business decision.

“I think this is actually a sizable win for Samsung. Why? It only cost $1 billion to become the #2 most profitable mobile company,” he writes.

Do you think the trial verdict actually helps Samsung? Tell us in the comments below.