Samsung (IW 1000/12) executives at the highest level made a decision to copy "every element" of the iPhone to compete in the smartphone market, a lawyer for Apple (IW 500/9) said as arguments began in a huge patent trial.
Harold McElhinny, a lawyer for Apple in the blockbuster patent trial underway in San Jose, California, told the jury that Samsung began the effort as soon as the iPhone was publicly unveiled in January 2007.
"At the same time [Apple co-founder Steve] Jobs introduced the iPhone, he warned his competitors that he had filed for patent protection on more than 200 new inventions in the iPhone," McElhinny said.
"Samsung was faced with a choice. Samsung could come up with its own designs, it could beat Apple fairly in the marketplace, or it could copy Apple... it's easier to copy than to innovate."
The lawyer said Samsung copied specific features, including a "bounce-back" feature during the scrolling process and a design with a black-on-black face.
"At the highest corporate levels, Samsung decided to copy every element of the iPhone," he said.
"This was not accidental. Samsung's copying was intentional."
He argued that Samsung made continual changes as Apple updated its products.
"Over 100 times Samsung made detailed changes to its phones and tablets so that the end result was identical to Apple products," the lawyer said.
The comments came as jurors began hearing the biggest U.S. patent trial in decades, with billions at stake for the two big tech giants.
A Samsung lawyer was set to respond later Tuesday with the company's argument.
