The patent dispute trial between Apple (AAPL) and Samsung opened Monday with a debate on whether the Korean tech giant could present evidence of Sony influence on the original iPhone. A judge on Sunday ruled the "Sony style" issue could not be used in the opening argument. But Samsung wants to call a former Apple designer in its bid to counter Apple's arguments that Samsung was "slavishly copying" Apple designs in its Galaxy line of phones and tablets. Jury selection began after those arguments .

