As proof that some people will believe absolutely anything, the latest story doing the rounds is that following Apple's win in the mutual patent infringement case against Samsung, in which the jury assessed a $1bn fine, "Samsung paid Apple its $1bn fine by sending more than 30 trucks to Apple's headquarters loaded with nickels [5-cent pieces]". And that when Apple security was just about to freak out, Apple chief executive Tim Cook was called by Samsung who told him this was how they were paying the billion-dollar fine.

On to the debunking.

1) Samsung's fine ($1.049bn) isn't yet payable; the judge hasn't ruled. All we have is the jury's verdict. The judge's decision, which could include a tripling of the fine, is due on 20 September (or possibly 6 December now; it's unclear). Until then, Samsung only has to pay its lawyers. That should be less than $1bn.

2) If Samsung tried to pay the fine in five-cent coins, Apple could legitimately tell the trucks to turn around and head back to Samsung (if the trucks weren't imaginary in the first place).

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