Apple vs. Samsung dispute on designs: read the following article

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/06/samsung-apple-phone-design-patent- supreme-court-ruling

1.1. Considering the years spent in expensive litigation all over the world (costs are estimated over a billion dollars), do you think that the patent battle has been worth for Apple and Samsung? Which were Apple's objectives? Could this war affect the consumers' perception about the two firms?

1.2 Some experts say that many granted patents and designs should have never been granted - because their novelty and inventive steps are sometimes more than questionable. Do you think that the proliferation of dubious patents may be harmful for firms, governments and customers? Why?