Swiss watchmaker Swatch is seeking $170 million in damages from Samsung, alleging the tech giant allowed digital replicas of Swatch-owned watches on its smartwatches. A British judge is expected to rule on the damages soon.
This case highlights the ongoing tension between traditional luxury watchmakers and the burgeoning smartwatch market, with significant financial implications for intellectual property protection in the digital realm.
Swiss watchmaker Swatch is pursuing Samsung for $170 million in damages, alleging the South Korean electronics giant permitted digital replicas of Swatch-owned watches on its smartwatches. The Financial Times reported that a British judge is expected to issue a ruling on the damages soon, following a 2022 High Court decision that found Samsung liable for trademark infringement. The infringement occurred through third-party applications available on Samsung smartwatches, which enabled users to replicate popular models from Swatch-owned brands, including luxury labels Omega and Tissot.
The legal proceedings, which commenced in 2019, also pertain to infringement within the European Union. The upcoming ruling is anticipated to pave the way for a parallel claim by Swatch against a Samsung subsidiary in the United States. Swatch has accused Samsung of "large-scale appropriation" of its valuable trademarks, while Samsung has countered that the demands are "extravagant" and disproportionate. Representatives for both Swatch and Samsung have submitted written statements to the High Court as it determines the damages.