Following Apple’s $1 billion dollar verdict in California, the electronics giant lost 7.5% of it’s value in heavy trading Monday. Of course, Samsung will appeal the ruling, and who knows how long the courtroom drama will drag out. And in the long run, Apple has to rely on Samsung for the processors used in it’s own smartphones. So the relationship between the two companies is very convoluted. Another factor is that Samsung owns about 65,000 patents compared to around 9,000 for Apple, so somewhere in that huge portfolio is likely something Samsung can use against Apple.
As these companies fight it out, Microsoft is one of the potential surprise winners in this ruling. It’s Windows mobile operating system may start to look more attractive, with all the uncertainty surrounding other platforms. And an overall loser could be Google, as it’s android operating system takes a hit with this ruling. With Apple planning to file for a sales injunction in September, this case is far from over.