Apple says Samsung knew iPhone would be big seller

SAN JOSE: Samsung knew Apple's iPhone would be a big seller when it first went on the market, but the South Korean company didn't have a product that could compete so it stole Apple's technology, an attorney for Apple told jurors on Tuesday.

"The evidence in this case will be Samsung copied the iPhone," Apple lawyer Harold McElhinny said during his opening statement in the latest patent fight between the world's largest cellphone manufacturers.

Samsung, which accuses Apple of stealing its ideas, was expected to make its opening statement later in the day.

The trial in federal court in San Jose marks the latest round in a long-running series of lawsuits between the two tech giants over mobile devices.

If Apple prevails in the current case, the cost to Samsung could reach $2 billion. Apple's costs, if it loses the litigation, were expected to be about $6 million.

McElhinny asked jurors to remember where they were on Jan. 9, 2007, and showed a video of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiling the iPhone in San Francisco.

He said attorneys for Samsung would try to say Apple inventions were trivial and not valuable.

"But that is not what the world was saying in 2007," McElhinny said.

It could be consumers who end up paying the ultimate price in the case. Experts say the litigation could lead to more expensive smartphones and devices and slow the overall pace of mobile innovation.

"The most direct effect of this patent fight on consumers would be if the judge blocked one of these popular phones from the market," said Rutgers Law School professor Michael A. Carrier.

Carrier said patent litigation costs businesses time and money.

"What's even more worrisome for the effect on innovation is the impact on small innovators," said Carrier. "Apple and Samsung can afford this litigation. The next upstart cannot."

Apple is accusing Samsung of infringing on five patents on newer devices, including Galaxy smartphones and tablets. In a counterclaim, Samsung says Apple stole two of its ideas to use for iPhones and iPads.

The two companies have battled in litigation around the world. Less than two years ago, a federal jury in the same courthouse found that Samsung was infringing on Apple patents. Samsung was ordered to pay about $900 million but is appealing and has been allowed to continue selling products using the technology.

Throughout three years of litigation, Samsung's global market share has grown. One of every three smartphones sold last year was a Samsung, now the market leader. Apple, with its typically higher priced iPhones, was second, with about 15 percent of the market.

In court filings, Apple said Samsung has "systematically copied Apple's innovative technology and products, features and designs, and has deluged markets with infringing devices."

Samsung countered that it has broken technological barriers with its own lightweight, ultra-slim phones.

"Samsung has been a pioneer in the mobile device business sector since the inception of the mobile device industry," Samsung attorneys wrote. "Apple has copied many of Samsung's innovations in its Apple iPhone, iPod, and iPad products."

Specifically, Apple claims Samsung stole a tap-from-search technology that allows someone searching for a telephone number or address on the Web to tap on the results to call the number or put the address into a map. In addition, Apple says Samsung copied "slide to unlock," which allows users to swipe the face of their smartphone to use it.

Samsung countered that Apple is stealing a wireless technology system that speeds up sending and receiving data.

Apple is demanding that Samsung pay a $40 royalty for each Samsung device running software allegedly conceived by Apple. The figure is more than five times more than the amount sought in the previous trial and well above other precedents.

Jurors were selected on Monday. Most prospects said they were somewhat familiar with the legal dispute, including many who work for companies affiliated with Samsung or Apple. Some locals had strong opinions.

"Neither company has been a particular favorite of mine. Both have been bullies with their patent libraries," said Armen Hamstra, a LinkedIn software engineer and patent holder who was ultimately rejected as a juror.

 

Malaysia police: Jet mystery may never be solved

KUALA LUMPUR: The investigation into what happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 may take a long time and may never determine the cause of the tragedy, Malaysia´s national police chief warned Wednesday.

Khalid Abu Bakar said the criminal investigation was still focused on four areas — hijacking, sabotage and personal or psychological problems of those on board the plane.

"Investigations may go on and on and on. We have to clear every little thing," Khalid said. "At the end of the investigations, we may not even know the real cause.

We may not even know the reason for this incident."The plane disappeared March 8 on a flight to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur with 239 on board.

No trace of the plane has been found, although searchers are now focused on a crash site in the southern Indian Ocean.

Khalid said that police had conducted more than 170 interviews with family members of the pilots and crew members.

"We must be very thorough and we need all the time ... you cannot hurry us," he said.

Police are also investigating the cargo and even the food served on the plane to eliminate possible sabotage, he said.

Relatives of the passengers have been critical of the handling of the search for the plane, especially as the focus of the hunt has shifted.

After experts analyzed the limited radar and satellite data from the plane, the search area was moved from the seas off Vietnam, to several areas in the Indian Ocean west of Australia, and finally to a 221,000-square-kilometer (85,000-square-mile) area roughly a 2½-hour flight from Perth.

The search resumed Wednesday, with the first of nine planes heading out to the search zone, about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) west of Perth, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.

Nine ships also were scouring the area. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott reiterated his commitment to the search ahead of meeting his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak later Wednesday in Perth.

"Look, it´s one of the great mysteries of our time," Abbott told Perth Radio 6iX. "It´s a terrible tragedy.

There are 239 devastated families. ... We owe it to the world, we owe it to those families to do whatever we reasonably can do get to the bottom of this.

"Najib´s trip to Perth also will include a visit to the joint agency coordinating the multinational search effort.

Matric exams begin in Karachi

KARACHI: Over 340,000 students will appear for the Board of Secondary Education Karachi examinations (today) Wednesday.

Of the 295 exam centres where students will appear in two shifts, 33 centres have been declared “highly sensitive”.

These centres exist in seven towns of the city and are known for having a volatile law and order situation.

Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui has ordered that Section 144 remain functional during the exams. This requires closure of Photostat shops and banning gatherings within 200 yards of exam centres.

Violation of law, including carrying a weapon, may result in 10 to 12 years in prison. The K-Electric has been asked not to carry out power outages during exam hours.

For the first time, five colleges in sensitive localities have been converted into exam centres to prevent use of unfair means with the help of invigilators teaching at the schools selected as exam centres.
Nineteen special vigilance teams under the supervision of board officers have been formed to carry out inspections at the exam centres.

Sealed question papers will be delivered by 371 centre control officers to all the exam centres during the morning and afternoon shifts.

Meanwhile, an exam reporting cell has been established at room No 19 of the board office under the supervision of Abdul Fahim Khan to attend to and solve complaints received from exam centres, vigilance officers, teachers, parents, students and the public.

In case of emergency, readers can contact 99260251 and 99260252-6 (extension No 327). A complaint cell has also been established at the commissioner’s office.

External centre superintendents will be posted at sensitive exam centres. The director of school education Karachi will also conduct surprise visits at the exam centres.

Karachi: Two bodies found in Manghopir

KARACHI: Bodies of two unknown men have been found in Manghopir area of the city, Geo News reported on Wednesday.

According to reports, the bodies were stuffed in gunnybags. The men were shot in the head. Rescue sources said that the bodies have been shifted to a hospital for medico-legal formalities.

Army chief, spymaster reach PM House

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Chief Director General Lt. Gen Zaheerul Islam flew into the Prime Minister house after a meeting of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) discussed much debated issue of Pervez Musharraf’s exit from the country.

The powerful military leaders arrived in a helicopter after the Prime Minister postponed a meeting on national security where both the army chief and the spymaster were invited.

Gen Sharif and Islam were informed about the postponement of the meeting by the prime minister house.

Pakistani crew of MT Morning Glory to reach home soon: Ansar Burney

KARACHI: Ansar Burney, Chairman Ansar Burney Trust, Tuesday confirmed that the 6 hijacked Pakistani crew members of the cargo vessel MT Morning Glory released from Libyan custody today will reach home soon.

The spokesman of Pakistan Foreign Office has confirmed the handing over of Pakistani crew to the embassy in Tripoli, Libya. He said flight arrangements were being made to take them back home.

The Pakistani crew is expected to return by Wednesday evening.

The released crew members of MT Morning Glory include 6 Pakistanis, 6 Indians, 3 Sri Lankans, 2 Syrians, 2 Sudanis and 2 Eritreans.

The Pakistan crew members are: Mirza Noman Baig (Captain), Ghufran Marghoob Ahmed (Cheif Officer), Syed Muhammad Mehdi Shamsi (2nd Officer), Syed Asif Hassan (3rd Officer), Naik Zada (Crew Member), Muhammad Irshad (Crew Member).

Ansar Burney said after the successful rescue effort by the American forces from Cyprian sea water, the cargo vessel along with 21 crew members had reached Libya, where they remained in government custody till earlier today.

He said all the crew members on Board remained safe and expressed gratitude to the Pakistan's Ambassador in Libya, Lt Gen (Retd) Javed Zia who visited and met the Pakistani crew.

Ansar Burney also thanked US President, Barrack Obama, US Pentagon, US Forces, Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen, US Embassy at Islamabad and Pakistan Embassy in Libya for saving 21 human lives including 6 Pakistanis.

He had requested Libyan authorities for an early release of all crew members citing the hardship they had already faced as a result of the hijacking of the vessel by Libyan rebels belonging to Port Es Sider.

Earlier, Ansar Burney had also urged Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Syria, Sudan and Eritrian governments to assist Ansar Burney Trust to ensure an early release of the 21 crew members.

PML-N splits in two over Pervez Musharraf’s exit

ISLAMABAD: The decision on whether or not to allow Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf to travel abroad seemed to have divided the opinion of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as it failed to evolve a consensus on the issue Tuesday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired a high level meeting to ponder over the issue, which emerged after the Special Court threw the ball in the government’s court. According to the court ruling, the accused could travel abroad if the government allowed him to.

Sources said the PML-N leaders split into to groups with one insisting on the immediate removal of Musharraf’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL) while the other opposed this idea.

The sources said that the meeting remained inconclusive but the prime minister had once again summoned the PML-N top guns to hold more consultations over the issue. They, however, agreed that Nawaz Sharif will make the final decision at the end of the deliberations.

Musharraf, who had filed two petitions in the Special Court to get the permission to travel abroad to visit her ailing mother and get his own medical treatment, submitted an application with the Interior Secretary on the heels of a court ruling which said only the government could decide if he be allowed to travel abroad or not.

Later, Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Chief Director General Lt. Gen Zaheerul Islam flew into the Prime Minister House after a meeting of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz discussed much debated issue of Musharraf’s exit from the country.

The powerful military leaders arrived in a helicopter after the Prime Minister postponed a meeting on national security where both the army chief and the spymaster were invited.

Talking to Geo News, Information Minister Pervez Rashid said that that the PM had convened a consultative meeting to discuss the challenges facing the country.

Former president and Pakistan People’s Party leader Asif Ali Zardari also contacted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif through telephone to discuss the issue of Pervez Musharraf.

Karachi: Banned group local leader killed in police encounter

KARACHI: A local leader of a banned outfit has been killed in an alleged police encounter that took place in the limits of Sohrab Goth police station, here on Tuesday.

According to police, the deceased has been identified as Muhammad Ameen.

The accused had been staying in Karachi since Swat operation, the police added.

Trying to sell small arms, fighter jets to Saudi Arabia: Sartaj

LONDON: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz has said Pakistan wants to strike a balance between Saudi Arabia and Iran to ease tensions between the two countries.

In an interview with BBC's Urdu Service, Sartaj Aziz said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Iran in May or June to discuss bilateral relations and world issues. When he was asked if Pakistan was sending arms to Syria, he said there was no specific agreement about Syria in the present circumstances.

Pakistan was following a neutral policy on Syria in line with UN resolutions. He said that sectarian divisions were very harmful for the Islamic world.

Sartaj further said Islamabad was making efforts to sell small arms and fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia. He said it was strange that objections were being raised about it, though all world nations wanted to sell their weapons to other countries. He said there was no difficulty for Saudi Arabia to purchase weapons from any other country. There was no need for creating any doubts on the issue, he added.

Over Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, the advisor said that the project was intact, but due to sanctions the time limit for its implementation would have to be reset.

Rulers who suffered vagaries of exile

LAHORE: Deposed world rulers have settled down in many countries like Saudi Arabia, Europe and the United States.

Even three Pakistani and a Thai leader opted to stay in UAE. The three Pakistani leaders who stayed in Daubi during their exile period are Nawaz Sharif, late Benazir Bhutto and General (R) Pervez Musharraf. Thailand’s leader is former premier-cum-business tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, who had called shots between February 2001 and September 2006.

Exile, though quite painful in many ways for most ousted global rulers, is a centuries-old phenomenon and even the most formidable of humans—who once wore the crown—had to undergo the rigours of living away from home with or without their will.

However, whatever circumstances may have led these powerful rulers to quit the countries they had once ruled and no matter how lavish their exiled lives may have been, seeking refuge in foreign countries has always been extremely tough if one goes through the plight (expressed through poetry) of the last Moghul Emperor King Bahadur Shah Zafar, who was helplessly exiled to Burma by the British Raj in 1857.

Apart from King Bahadur Shah Zafar, the other exiled rulers include the likes of Mehmed VI of Turkey, Farouk I of Egypt, Umberto II of Italy, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, Chile’s Augusto Pinochet, King Reza Shah Pehlavi of Iran, Jean Claude Duvalier of Haiti, first Pakistani President Iskander Mirza, Napoleon Bonaparte of France, Nicholas II of Russia, King Zog of Albania, Pol Pot of Cambodia, Manuel Noriega of Panama, Idi Amin of Uganda, Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines, Alfredo Stroessner of Paraguay, Alan Garcia of Peru, Alberto Fujimori of Peru, Erich Honecker of East Germany, Haile Mariam of Ethiopia, Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kyrgystan, Mobutu Sese Seko of Congo, Francois Bozize of Central African Republic, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, Hissene Habre of Chad, Charles Taylor of Liberia and Mexican dictator Porfirio Diaz.

Interestingly, as history reveals, the governments of Charles de Gaulle of France and Eduard Benes of Czechoslovakia were also formed in exile in countries like the Great Britain.