The following is a collection of varying opinions on the matter -- some who believe Apple was properly rewarded, and others who believe Samsung was shorted.

Samsung, in a statement following the verdict, maintained that the decision will hurt both consumers and innovation. Stanford Law School fellow Vivek Wadhwa agrees with Samsung's analysis.

"You've taken a major competitor out of the marketplace," Wadhwa told . The implication there, of course, is that less competition means higher prices and less inclination toward innovation.

Vice President of the Asia-Pacific ICT Practice at Frost & Sullivan, Andrew Milroy, agrees. Speaking to , Milroy argues phone makers may feel they have to "manage risks" for their products. Not only will the increased costs of risk management be passed on to consumers, but such management ay result in "playing it safe," which will result in phone makers pulling away from innovation and reducing consumer choice.

Designers will also feel their choices are restricted. This verdict could create a minefield for product designers, according to Bill Flora, creative director at Tectonic design firm in Seattle. They'll be constantly second-guessing whether various features step on Apple's toes, Flora told . Designers may feel that "pinch to zoom," for example, is off limits. This gesture has become so common to touch interfaces that it will be like designing a car with a square steering wheel, Flora said.