WatchesDec 14, 2023
Chrono24 Names McKinsey Exec as New CEOTechnologyDec 18, 2023
In UK, Swatch Group Notches ‘Milestone’ Victory in Samsung Trademark Case
The watch company has parallel litigation in the United States that is ongoing.
PHOTO This image from court documents supplied by Swatch Group shows, at right, two examples of “watch faces” that once were available in Samsung’s Galaxy App Store alongside watches from Swatch Group-owned brands Breguet (top left) and Glashütte Original (bottom left).
PHOTO Another example, this one showing a Tissot watch (top left) and a Jaquet Droz watch (bottom left) next to watch faces from the Samsung app store
London—A U.K. appeals court has ruled in Swatch Group’s favor in its trademark case against Samsung, a “milestone” victory Swatch Group says will have a significant impact on internet trademark law.
The ruling was handed down Friday in the Court of Appeal in London—the second highest court in the land, behind the U.K. Supreme Court—and upholds a lower court ruling from May 2022.
In that case, Justice Sarah Falk of the High Court of Justice ruled that Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. had infringed the trademarks of a number of Swatch Group’s top watch brands, including Omega, Tissot, Swatch, Hamilton and Longines, via 30 downloadable “watch face” apps.
The apps were available in the Galaxy App Store, the store where Samsung users purchase and download apps for use on their smartphones and smartwatches, from October 2015 until the South Korea-based technology giant removed them in January 2019 at Swatch Group’s request.
Samsung appealed Falk’s ruling to the Court of Appeal, but on Friday, Lord Justice Richard Arnold, Lord Justice Kim Lewison, and Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing rejected that appeal.
Related stories will be right here …
The ruling was handed down Friday in the Court of Appeal in London—the second highest court in the land, behind the U.K. Supreme Court—and upholds a lower court ruling from May 2022.
In that case, Justice Sarah Falk of the High Court of Justice ruled that Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. had infringed the trademarks of a number of Swatch Group’s top watch brands, including Omega, Tissot, Swatch, Hamilton and Longines, via 30 downloadable “watch face” apps.
The apps were available in the Galaxy App Store, the store where Samsung users purchase and download apps for use on their smartphones and smartwatches, from October 2015 until the South Korea-based technology giant removed them in January 2019 at Swatch Group’s request.
Samsung appealed Falk’s ruling to the Court of Appeal, but on Friday, Lord Justice Richard Arnold, Lord Justice Kim Lewison, and Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing rejected that appeal.
The justices joined the lower court in dismissing Samsung’s argument that it was not liable for damages because it had not “used” the infringing watch faces, which were created by third-party developers, and had merely “hosted” the downloadable designs in its store.
The appeals court stated in its ruling, “Samsung’s acts of use of the disputed signs were active and gave it knowledge of and control over that content. They were not merely technical, automatic, and passive with no knowledge or control.”
An email sent Friday to Samsung seeking comment on the decision was not returned.
In a statement issued Friday announcing its victory in the case, Swatch Group co-Chief Legal Officer Mireille Koenig said: “Swatch Group is pleased with the judgment, which looked at a new form of trademark infringement in the digital age, and the liability of online providers such as Samsung’s Galaxy Store.
“The court reached the right result, protecting the exclusivity and value of our iconic watch brands.”
Swatch Group filed a parallel trademark infringement lawsuit against Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America Inc. in the United States in February 2019.
That case is ongoing.
More on Technology
The Latest
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
Policies & IssuesOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
