Swatch Pushes for $170 Million Damages in Samsung Galaxy Watch Case

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One of the best things about smartwatches is that you can customize them with thousands of different watch faces. Some of those designs even mimic the look of iconic luxury watches, and that’s exactly what’s at the center of Samsung’s long-running legal battle with Swiss watchmaker Swatch.

Swatch wants Samsung to pay $170 million in Galaxy Watch lawsuit

Swatch is now seeking $170 million in damages, claiming Samsung allowed third-party apps to copy the look of several famous watch designs on Galaxy smartwatches.

The lawsuit dates back to 2019, when Swatch accused Samsung of offering watch face apps through the Galaxy Store that closely resembled watches from brands including Omega, Tissot, Blancpain, Hamilton, and Breguet.

In 2022, London’s High Court ruled that Samsung was liable for trademark infringement over those third-party apps. The latest trial focused on one key question, how much Samsung should pay in damages.

Swatch says the $170 million figure reflects the licensing fees Samsung would’ve had to pay if it had legally used the designs across 10 of its watch brands. The company also argues that its watches carry decades of prestige and exclusivity, making unauthorized digital copies especially damaging to their value.

Samsung hasn’t publicly commented on the latest court proceedings. However, according to court filings cited by reports, the company has described Swatch’s demand as “extravagant.”

The upcoming ruling could have consequences beyond the UK. Since the original lawsuit also covered alleged trademark infringement in the European Union, the decision could strengthen Swatch’s case if it decides to pursue a similar lawsuit against Samsung in the US.

The court is expected to announce its decision on damages soon. Whatever the final amount, Samsung is unlikely to throw in the towel and will almost certainly explore every legal option available.

Written by

Abhinav Anand

Abhinav Anand is the News Editor at SammyGuru and a technology journalist based in New Delhi. Before joining SammyGuru, he contributed to numerous outlets, including Android Headlines, ExtremeTech, The Mac Observer, Financial Express, Economic Times, iGeeksBlog, KnowTechie, PhonesWiki, SlashGear, and more. You can reach him at [email protected].

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