US judge grants Samsung inclusion of iPhone 5 in lawsuit, but not without cost
The legal spats between Samsung and Apple are seemingly endless (and Samsung’s JK Shin assured us they wouldn’t be backing down anytime soon), and now things have escalated to an even higher level here in the United States. A US judge granted Samsung the inclusion of Apple’s iPhone 5 in a patent trial that could go either way.
If you don’t remember, Samsung is suing Apple over telecommunications patents, something Apple will find a hard time convincing courts they’re not infringing. Apple might have an edge there considering the patents could be considered enforceable only under FRAND rules, but regardless Samsung should be able to eek out a win there.
But Samsung wasn’t was also stung when the same judge granted Apple the inclusion of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet, the US version of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Jelly Bean on the Galaxy Nexus in its side of the lawsuit, bringing the number of devices Apple’s targeting up to 20.
These are some of Samsung’s biggest devices on the market so it’s a significant development that could threaten Samsung’s most lucrative goings-on right now. The company recently announced sales of its Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone eclipsed 30 million, and with the holiday season in full effect that number is expected to increase without much effort on Samsung’s part.
Apple is seeking a ban on these devices on grounds of patent infringement, and some were targeted in a lawsuit Apple brewed up last year claiming Samsung’s products blatantly copied Apple’s in the “look and feel” department. “Apple continues to take aggressive legal measures that will limit market competition. Under these circumstances, we have little choice but to take the steps necessary to protect our innovations and intellectual property rights,” said Samsung.
We’re a bit of ways away from a significant ruling (and one that will stick for the long term) and it’ll be tough to predict which way this one will swing when it’s all said and done. Who do you have in this heavyweight bout to the finish?
[via WSJ]