# Samsung-Swatch Group trademark infringement dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/samsung-swatch-group-trademark-infringement-dispute
> Updated: 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

A UK High Court judge ordered Samsung Electronics to pay $11.6 million to Swatch Group following a ruling on trademark infringement. The legal dispute concerned digital smartwatch faces on the Samsung Galaxy App Store that mimicked designs from luxury brands owned by Swatch, such as Omega, Longines, Tissot, Breguet, and Blancpain.

Although the infringing applications were produced by third-party developers, the court held Samsung liable due to its control over the app approval and distribution processes. The judge noted that hosting these designs, which were available for free or at low costs, could harm the exclusivity and brand image of luxury watchmakers. Between 2015 and 2019, these apps were downloaded approximately 160,000 times across the United Kingdom and the European Union.

While Swatch Group had initially sought approximately $170 million in damages, the final award was significantly lower. Swatch Group representatives indicated that the company had attempted to minimize the perceived severity of the counterfeiting during the proceedings.

## Claims

- The High Court of Justice of England and Wales issued a judgment on August 26 regarding the trademark dispute. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Samsung is ordered to pay Swatch Group 11.6 million dollars in damages. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Swatch Group stated that Samsung attempted to minimize the scale and severity of the trademark infringements. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The infringing watch face applications were downloaded approximately 160,000 times in the UK and the EU. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The counterfeit watch face applications were available on the Samsung Galaxy App Store between October 2015 and February 2019. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The court found trademark infringements involving ten specific Swatch Group brands. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Swatch Group originally sought 170 million dollars in damages for trademark infringements. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Samsung Electronics initially offered to pay only 301 dollars in damages. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: Samsung ordered to pay Swatch Group $11.6 million for trademark infringement

Samsung must pay Swatch Group 11.6 million dollars after a UK court ruled the tech giant infringed on trademarks by offering counterfeit digital watch faces on its Galaxy App Store.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samsung-ordered-to-pay-swatch-group-116-million-for-trademark-infringement

### 2026-08-26: Samsung ordered to pay $11.6 million to Swatch Group over trademark infringement

Samsung must pay $11.6 million to Swatch Group after a UK court ruled the tech giant was liable for hosting third-party smartwatch apps that infringed on luxury watch trademarks.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samsung-ordered-to-pay-116-million-to-swatch-group-over-trademark-infringement

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Cite as: Samsung-Swatch Group trademark infringement dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/samsung-swatch-group-trademark-infringement-dispute