The jury reached an earlier-than-expected verdict Friday in the Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. et al. case being heard by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, according to multiple media reports.

The nature of the verdict after only three days of deliberation has not yet been announced publicly. Details are forthcoming.

The outcome of the trial could conceivably have a significant effect on the sales of smartphones and tablets developed by either or both sides. Also on the line are potential millions of dollars in damages for patent infringement to be awarded to the case's winner.

The trial, raging for about three weeks in a San Jose courtroom, saw Apple contend that Samsung willfully violated its intellectual-property rights Samsung contend that Apple is a high-technology giant that stifles legitimate competition.

Each side in the legal battle had 25 hours to present its case before the jury and U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh.

To reach a verdict, the nine-person jury followed a 20-page form, detailing which products violated copyright laws and which ones did not. The jurors also had to assess damages and concerns about Samsung violating antitrust laws.

Apple inc. Court California Intellectual Property