Apple is Wringing Samsung’s Neck

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has increased the amount of money it thinks Samsung owes in damages for allegedly infringing on design patents for the iPhone and iPad. Apple’s asking price is now $2.88 billion, from $2.5 billion a week ago.

Don’t Miss: Sprint: Here’s HINTS About Apple’s New iPhone.

Some 28 Samsung devices are alleged to infringe upon Apple patents. Samsung’s original Galaxy S smartphone is considered the biggest offender, as only about $80 million derives from Samsung’s tablets, but Apple holds Samsung’s Epic 4G phone responsible for about $388 million worth of damage, the Fascinate for $287 million, and the Captivate for $285 million.

The Invotex Group, a consultant specializing in calculating royalty rates for litigation, has run up multiple scenarios and their respective tallies, which depend on which patents are involved and whether Apple’s lost profits are included in the judgment. The sums range from $2.47 billion to $2.88 billion.

None of those scenarios, not even Apple’s $2.88 billion request, take into account a judgment of willful infringement, which could dramatically increase the size of the payout.

Don’t Miss: Apple Faces New CHALLENGE In China.