FOSS Patents reports that, in the ongoing Apple vs. Samsung patent wars, the United States federal court granted "a major win for Apple" by scheduling the trial date much earlier than Samsung wanted.
Sort of like if your favorite sports team got the easiest schedule in the league, or your college classes lined up so you have a five-day weekend every week. Obviously, there is still work to be done, but this ruling could not be expected to go better for Apple.
The original court date was set for October 13, 2012. Apple repeatedly pushed for an earlier date, asking the court for expedited scheduling as early as February 2012. Samsung responded by pleading the case was way too complicated for a faster schedule, inferring to the courts that the trial should occur sometime in 2013.
The Northern District of California ruled, and the date is set for July 30, 2012.
According to FOSS Patents, this is an extremely ambitious court date that significantly favors Apple. If an injunction against Samsung is granted, Apple would prefer that to happen sooner rather than later. However, this federal case, Apple's original suit against Samsung, is one of nineteen lawsuits going on between the parties around the world -- there are cases currently pending in 12 courts in 9 countries on 4 continents. It is possible that any one of these cases could be resolved before this original US case, but by speeding up the trial date, Apple is making sure there won't be much of a delay between any of the rulings.
Via FOSS Patents
Adrian covers daily news as well as the weekly Law & Apple column for MacLife.com. You can follow him on Twitter, if you want to.
