Samsung has vowed revenge over Apple’s recent lawsuit against the electronics maker that claims Samsung “slavishly” copied Apple’s iOS devices for its line of Android-based Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Apple is reportedly miffed at Samsung for taking technologies and design ideas such as organizing application icons into grids and making smartphones with rounded corners. “Rather than innovate … Samsung chose to copy Apple’s technology, user interface, and innovative style in these infringing products,” Apple argued in its filing. Samsung isn’t taking the charge lightly and says it will “respond actively to this legal action,” according to Agence France-Presse.
Samsung is one of Apple’s largest suppliers of computer components such as processors and RAM. The Seoul-based electronics maker may also soon be Apple’s supplier for iPad display panels, according to All Things D.
Patent wars
Technology companies often sue each other over patent infringement, a practice referred to as competition through litigation. Many big companies also stockpile patents in order to fend off infringement claims from competing companies. The basic concept of this defense is “mutual patent destruction.” In other words, if you sue me into oblivion, I’ll do the same to you.
Apple’s strike against Samsung is just its latest round of litigation. Apple is also involved in legal wrangling with HTC, another Android device maker, as well as Nokia over patent infringement. Nokia and HTC are also suing Apple for patent infringement.
Apple is suing Amazon over the term “App Store” claiming Amazon’s Appstore for Android violates an Apple trademark. Microsoft, meanwhile, is fighting to stop Apple over rights to the name “App Store,” claiming the term is too generic to be worthy of a trademark. Motorola and Apple set off a legal battle over patent infringement in late 2010. Motorola filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission arguing that Apple violated 18 of its patents, and Apple later accused Motorola of infringing on six of its patents.
Connect with Ian Paul ( @ianpaul ) and Today@PCWorld on Twitter for the latest tech news and analysis.