Apple 'bet company' with iPhone launch

London, Aug 2 (ANI): In the 2.5 billion dollar patent trial between tech giants Apple and Samsung, a U.S. court has heard that the former was "literally betting the company" when it introduced the iPhone.

In the clash, which has been called the 'patent battle of the century', jurors would be deciding whether Samsung "slavishly" copied Apple's designs, as the iPhone-maker claims, and whether Apple unlawfully used 3G technologies patented by South Korean mobile maker.

"Apple were about to enter a field dominated by giants," The Telegraph quoted Harold McElhinny, a lawyer for Apple, as saying, adding further that the designers of the firm created a "phone the world had never seen before."

In Apple's opening statement, the firm revealed an internal review of the iPhone done by Samsung in late 2007 in which it is described as "beautiful" and "easy to copy."

"As we all know it's easier to copy than innovate," McElhinny added.

In the lawsuit filed by Apple, the firm is seeking 2.5 billion dollars in lost profits and royalty fees from Samsung, accusing the firm for copying its iPhone and iPad designs, the paper said.

However, Samsung reportedly responded with its own filing, alleging that Apple was trying "to stifle legitimate competition and limit consumer choice to maintain its historically exorbitant profits"

The trial is expected to last about a month, the paper added. (ANI)