Apple v Samsung: now it’s flagship devices in the firing line

Xmas is coming, the phones are getting flak

Flagship smartphones and tablets look set to be the next target in the ongoing patents feud between Apple and Samsung. Just a week after its crushing victory in a Calfornian court, Apple last night [31st August 2012] expanded the list of devices it wants to be banned in the US to include Samsung’s latest Galaxy Note, Galaxy S III and Galaxy note 10.1 devices. In a tit-for-tat legal manoeuvre, meanwhile, it was reported that Samsung was planning to disrupt the imminent debut of the Apple iPhone with a lawsuit accusing the US manufacturer of violating its 4G patents. According to the Korean Times the action may embrace the New iPad, launched in March and which also uses 4G.

The paper adds that Samsung is keeping its powder dry until the official launch of the new iPhone, expected later this month and whose launch is surrounded in secrecy.

After Nokia, Samsung is the second biggest holder of 4G patents – or LTE technology – with around 12 per cent of global licences.

Its battery of 4G patents are expected to figure highly in the lawsuit, though Apple is likely to mount a vigorous defence.

Back in California yesterday [31st August 2012], Apple was busy upping the stakes by expanding the list of Samsung devices it wants banned, dating back to August last year.

They are: the Galaxy S III, Galaxy S III–Verizon, Galaxy Note, Galaxy S II Skyrocket, Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch, Galaxy S II, Galaxy S II-T-Mobile, Galaxy S II-AT&T, Galaxy Nexus, Illusion, Captivate Glide, Exhibit II 4G, Stratosphere, Transform Ultra, Admire, Conquer 4G, and Dart smartphones, the Galaxy Player 4.0 and Galaxy Player 5.0 media players, and the Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus and Galaxy Tab 8.9.

In a side note it was revealed that court documents from 2010 show Apple wanted its Korean rival to buy a licence for its intellectual property that would have costed Samsung up to $30 (£19) per phone – covering not just Android devices that Apple claims violate its products but every mobile phone that Samsung makes.