Supreme Court steps into Apple v. Samsung fray

Apple declined to comment.

A decision by the Supreme Court could have a ripple effect across the technology industry and ultimately impact the gadgets you buy because it could finally define the value of design work. For that reason, the case has drawn the attention of a wide number of legal experts, nonprofit groups and technology companies. Together, they filed six amicus, or "friend of the court," briefs in support of Samsung, urging the Supreme Court to consider the case.

Some of Silicon Valley's biggest players, including Google and Facebook, argued in the amicus briefs that the lower-court ruling as it stands could have a "devastating impact" on the introduction of new products due to a heightened fear of legal challenges. Apple has said all along that it was doing what was necessary to defend its intellectual property and the value of its blockbuster iPhone franchise.

The last time the Supreme Court looked at a suit involving design patents was in the 1800s. Those cases involved a spoon handle, carpet, saddle and rug. Since that time, a few things have changed, such as the introduction of electronic devices from the likes of Apple and Samsung.

Samsung wants the Supreme Court to give guidance on what is covered by design patents, which protect the way an item is used and how it works and also include what damages can be collected.

The original Apple v. Samsung trial in 2012 pitted a pair of the world's largest tech companies against each other. The case captivated Silicon Valley and the tech industry because it exposed the inner workings of two notoriously secretive companies. It was just one of many trials around the world as the rivals sparred both in the marketplace and in the courtroom. At issue were design patents for a black, rectangular, round-cornered front face; a similar rectangular round-cornered front face plus the surrounding rim, known as the bezel; and a colorful grid of 16 icons.