During a panel discussion at the D: Dive Into Media conference on Monday, Samsung Executive Vice President David Eun outlined his initiative to drive innovative thinking, and also shared his thoughts about the ongoing legal battle between his company and Apple.
While not a main talking point of the interview, Eun told All Things D’s Kara Swisher that he saw the seemingly endless legal struggle as “a loss” for innovation in the fast-moving tech industry.
As noted by Engadget, Swisher asked Eun how he felt about Samsung’s relationship with Apple, which quickly turned sour after a worldwide court battle broke out in April 2011 over Apple sued the Korean company for infringing on certain design and utility patents. Eun was cagey in his reply, offering little in the way of specifics, though he did note that the litigation was stagnating innovation.
Although the landmark Apple v. Samsung trial ended last summer with a $1 billion jury ruling in favor of Apple, the two companies currently still have multiple cases pending judgement. The California case is still working its way through the post-trial process.
Eun’s remarks were part of a larger discussion about a Samsung project dubbed the Open Innovation Center. Part of Samsung’s push into Silicon Valley, Eun has been assigned to lead the project.
“We’re doubling down on software innovation, particularly software that will enhance our products,” he said. “We’re focusing on investing in early stage companies and developing partnerships with them that can help us enhance the user experience of our customers.”
The initiative includes an accelerator branch that grants small startup teams access to Samsung’s plans, a team to scout new talent, a venture arm to make small investments in “the next big thing,” and a partnership team for other types of startups.
