Samsung seeks sales blocks on iPhone 4S

Simon · Oct 06, 2011, 23:03:48

Samsung has confirmed it's hoping to derail the launch of Apple's iPhone 4S, lodging preliminary injunction motions in France and Italy.

The legal action is the latest in an ongoing patent war between the two companies and marks a change of tactics from Samsung, which has generally been the defendant rather than the claimant in earlier cases. Those cases have lead to a block on sales of its Galaxy range in parts of Europe.

"Samsung's preliminary injunction requests in France and Italy will each cite two patent infringements related to wireless telecommunications technology, specifically Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) standards for 3G mobile handsets," the company said in a blog on its Samsung Tomorrow blog.

"The infringed technology is essential to the reliable functioning of telecom networks and devices," Samsung said, describing Apple's "violation" as "too severe" and calling for the iPhone 4S to be "barred from sales".

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/370333/samsung-seeks-sales-blocks-on-iphone-4s

Niall · Oct 07, 2011, 08:25:11

To be honest, there should be a regulatory body that looks at new devices BEFORE it gets to this stage. If companies are not using their own technology or technology legally bought from a company then the devices should be banned until it is legal. This pathetic use and abuse of courts to hinder production and sales, by ALL parties, is just ridiculous.

Lance · Oct 07, 2011, 09:15:09

Quote from: Simon on Oct 06, 2011, 23:03:48

"The infringed technology is essential to the reliable functioning of telecom networks and devices," Samsung said,

That to me suggests that it is technology in use by multiple manufacturers - I wonder if they've all licensed it from Samsung.

Rik · Oct 07, 2011, 09:44:08

I wonder why they picked France and Italy, though?

Glenn · Oct 07, 2011, 10:06:10

A test case for WCDMA standards, if successful, then an action in USA where it may hurt iPhone sales more?

Rik · Oct 07, 2011, 10:07:54

You'd have thought they'd have targeted Germany as a tit for tat move though.

Glenn · Oct 07, 2011, 10:09:02

Do Germany use WCDMA?

Rik · Oct 07, 2011, 10:11:01

No idea, tbh.

Glenn · Oct 07, 2011, 10:12:14

Or maybe Apple imports are through France and Italy?

Rik · Oct 07, 2011, 10:12:42

Possible.

Technical Ben · Oct 07, 2011, 13:37:01

Well, when Apple stopped Samsung's entire Tablet launch and half of it's phones what did it expect them to do in retaliation?

Rik · Oct 07, 2011, 17:33:46

Grovel?

Gary · Oct 07, 2011, 18:56:44

They did and offered to do something to the tablets in question, Apple said no...

Technical Ben · Oct 07, 2011, 19:24:44

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/07/apple_samsung_oz/
Seems relevant.

Technical Ben · Oct 07, 2011, 20:11:22

Ok, this is ridiculous. I was never buying Apple products due to usability (I need to use something OTHER than itunes. Now the option is there, the boat has sailed). But, now I just think they are fools...
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/apple-active-computer-case-illumination-light-driver-backlit,news-36643.html

Pre-existing art AND products.

Technical Ben · Oct 08, 2011, 09:02:39

That's it. Either I'm still dreaming, it's april the 1st, or reality is broken.
http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2011/10/07/microsoft_trademark_retail_store/

Where is the nearest rocket launch site? I'm outa here...

Technical Ben · Oct 08, 2011, 21:50:01

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/application-purchase-ecommerce-advertising-ios-android-blackberry-windows-phone-lodsys,news-12806.html

Now "in app (Programs?) purchasing" has been patented. Granted, they are offering to do it via a "transparent, transparent, non-transparent, service" system, but I doubt it's "new" or "patentable".

Should I start a separate thread?