NEW YORK: A US appeals court has overturned a $120 million jury verdict against Samsung, finally handing the South Korean smartphone maker a significant win in its longstanding patent feud with top rival Apple.

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, DC, said Samsung Electronics Co Ltd did not infringe Apple’s “quick links” patent, and that two other patents covering the iPhone’s slide-to-unlock and auto-correct features were invalid. The court also said Apple was liable for infringing one of Samsung’s patents.

In a statement, a Samsung spokeswoman said: “Today’s decision is a win for consumer choice and puts competition back where it belongs — in the marketplace, not in the courtroom.” A spokeswoman for Apple declined to comment.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2016