Apple Samsung patent trial: closing arguments delivered

Closing arguments have been delivered in the US patent trial between the two biggest smartphone-makers in the world, Samsung and Apple.

Apple lawyers accused South Korea-based Samsung of copying Apple designs after realising it could not compete.

Samsung lawyers retorted saying a win for Apple would mean less choice for consumers.

The jury in the trial, which is in its fourth week, starts deliberation on Wednesday.

Apple is asking for more than $2.5bn (£1.6bn) in damages from Samsung for violating its patented designs and features in the iPad and iPhone. It is also asking for a sales ban.

In return, Samsung has counter sued, saying Apple infringed its patents for key wireless technology.

In his closing argument on Tuesday Apple lawyer Harold McElhinny told the jury that Samsung had employed a shortcut in its product design.

"In those critical three months, Samsung was able to copy and incorporate the result of Apple's four-year investment in hard work and ingenuity- without taking any of the risks," McElhinny said referring to the time spent working on Samsung phones by a South Korean designer who testified in the trial.

For his part, Samsung's lawyer Charles Verhoeven told the jury a verdict in favour of Apple meant competition would be stifled in the industry.

"Rather than competing in the marketplace, Apple is seeking a competitive edge in the courtroom," Verhoeven said in his closing statement.

"(Apple thinks) it's entitled to having a monopoly on a rounded rectangle with a large screen. It's amazing really."

The closely watched trial has drawn worldwide attention and on Tuesday the courtroom was overflowing with observers, journalists, lawyers and analysts.