With all the hysteria and anticipation for Apple’s iPhone 5, with rumoured release dates slipping through daily – bringing the iOS-based smartphone nearer and nearer. It’s interesting and not entirely surprising to hear that Korean tech rival Samsung could be planning to sue the company any day now, seeking to ban the release of the iPhone 5 in the home nation.
As our regular readers will surely know, Apple is currently crusading around the globe to get Samsung’s Galaxy range of products banned from sale due to patent infringement claims – this mostly regarding a swipe technology used in the Galaxy S II mobile phone and Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer which Apple suggests was stolen from the iPad 2. Apple has successfully banned these Samsung gadgets in a number of countries. However some courts have overturned the decision much to the ire of Apple.
In retaliation, Samsung has counter-sued on several of the claims and now looks set to file against Apple once more, over the much-awaited new addition to the iPhone family.
A Samsung exec has reportedly spoken to the Korea Times regarding the company’s intentions which will see Apple under fire right out of the gate – “Just after the arrival of the iPhone 5 here, Samsung plans to take Apple to court here for its violation of Samsung’s wireless technology patents.”
The exec, remaining unnamed, continues: “For as long as Apple does not drop mobile telecommunications functions, it would be impossible for it to sell its i-branded products without using our patents,” the executive added. “We will stick to a strong stance against Apple during the lingering legal fights.”
To put this in some perspective of time, Apple has just recently announced its presence at a media event on October 4th – and that this will be the day of new CEO Tim Cook’s first big product launch and the public unveiling of the iPhone 5. That’s in just 14 days.