(Newser)
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Apple's patent victory will cost more than just the $1.05 billion judgment against Samsung—expect non-Apple smartphones to cost more as manufacturers begin to pay Apple for a variety of new licenses, reports the Wall Street Journal. Samsung was found guilty of infringing on seven patents, including those covering common features such as the ability to enlarge images with a tap and the look of icons.
"There may be a big Apple tax," says one analyst. "Phones will be more expensive." The question is how much more. It's possible Apple might not license some of its patents at all, considering the feature part of its "unique user experience" and forcing competitors to figure out different approaches. In the long run, creating those workarounds could make Samsung and other competitors stronger, but for now insiders say Apple just grew more dominant.
