Consumers Comment on Patent Rivalary in Samsung vs. Apple Lawsuit, Legal Decisions; Should the Galaxy S3 Be Banned?

Over the past month Apple has shown up in court to face Samsung on a number of patent infringement charges, claiming that Samsung has stole a significant amount of intellectual property and should be punished for doing so. Apple has won all but one court case. In the United States a jury decided against Samsung and mandated that the company pay Apple over $1 billion in damages. Even so, Apple has filed another brief in a California court this time going after Samsung's newer line of galaxy products. Consumers around the world are responding to media reports, sounding off with heated opinions both for and against the iPhone maker, though it seems the majority are rooting for Samsung.

Here's what some of them are saying:

- "Patent systems are old and outdated and companies are getting out of control. Congress needs to step in and update the system." In response, another consumer had this to say: "How on Earth would that happen? The companies that benefit most from the current systems are the big corporations with unlimited money to spend on lobbying Congress. It would technically be irrational for Congress to do anything, from their point of view."

- We are in an era of two wars: the currency war and the patent war. Apple may have won a battle in the patent war, but they will lose the war. Apple did not invent anything, they just keep "stealing" other inventions and improve on them. As we speak, almost all the big tech giants are preparing their own lawsuits against each other and I promise you that Apple will get many hits."

- "Hmm...so Samsung copied Apple? That means I can get a phone as good as an Apple [iPhone] at a cheaper price. Sounds good to me."

- "The Galaxy S3 is in Apple's crosshairs next. Samsung is wetting their pants, rightfully so."

- Enough of this! As a consumer I claim the right to choose what product I want to buy, not what Apple decides what should or shouldn't be on the shelves!"

- "It seems Apple is more innovative in the courts that in its products."

- "This decision [against Samsung] is bad for all of us. No competition means higher prices and less innovation."

- "Apple putting a case on Samsung smartphones just shows how weak Apple is and how Apple is highly incapable of taking a challenge from its competitors."

- "The consumer is the only true loser. Court costs and all relative expenses eventually get placed upon the people who purchase the equipment."

- "Apple's dominance of the legal space and vast spending on its PR means they can continue to nab real IP royalty-free and try to patent ordinary shapes. At this rate nobody will need engineers anymore - just artists and lots of lawyers."

So while some consumers are clearly on the side of Apple and others feel strongly in favor of Samsung there have emerged some individuals on middle ground in terms of favoring one company or the other. Many of these people are harboring resentment over the legal system, jury decisions and extensive lawsuit time frames.

After three lawsuits in the United States, South Korea and Japan it doesn't look like things are going to simmer down in the courts any time soon. In fact this week Apple filed another brief in the same California court where it already garnered a victory, going after additional Samsung products and aiming for extra monetary damages. How long will the legal saga continue? It's still up in the air and Latinos Post is very interested in hearing what our readers have to say about the situation at hand - please feel free to comment below.

Multiple Selections Allowed in the following poll: