Apple patent case: Samsung Galaxy Nexus banned in US

A judge in California has blocked US sales of Samsung's Galaxy Nexus smartphones while the court decides on the firm's patent dispute with Apple.

US District Judge Lucy Koh said Apple "has shown a likelihood of establishing both infringement and validity".

Earlier this week, she barred sales of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the US until the case was resolved.

However, she said that Apple would have to post bonds of nearly $100m (£64m) to enforce the rare pre-trial injunctions.

The bonds serve to secure payment of damages sustained by Samsung should it win the cases.

Samsung, the South Korean electronics giant, said it was "disappointed" by Friday's decision.

"We will take all available measures, including legal action, to ensure the Galaxy Nexus remains available to consumers," it said in a statement.

California-based Apple and Samsung are involved in a variety of legal cases in various countries across the globe amid claims and counter claims of patent infringement.

While Apple had accused Samsung of "blatant copying" of its design and look, the South Korean firm has alleged that Apple infringed its patents relating to the way phones and tablet PCs connect to the internet.

Apple and Samsung are two of the biggest manufacturers of tablet PCs and smartphones in the world.

Sales of the iPad more than doubled to 15.43m for the three months to 31 December 2011.

And in the first quarter of 2012 it sold 13.6m, giving it about 63% of the global tablet market, according to research firm Display Search.

Samsung sold 1.6m tablets over the same period, giving it a 7.5% share.

The success of Apple's iPhone and iPad has seen the firm recently become the world's most valuable company.

Meanwhile, Samsung has enjoyed considerable success in the sectors with its Galaxy range of products.

The demand for tablet PCs and smartphones is likely to grow even further in the near term.

Analysts said that given the growth potential, the two firms were using every possible tactic to ensure that they capture a bigger share of the market.

Sunday, July 01, 2012 | 0 comments | Read More

Apple moves to block Samsung Galaxy S3 sales in US market

Apple has filed law suit to have sales of Samsung's flagship Galaxy S3 Android smartphone banned in the US in the latest escalation of the two firm's long-running legal battles.

The South Korean giant is set to begin selling the device on 21 June but Apple has filed a suit claiming that the device infringes on several of its patents.

TG-Tech contacted Apple for comment on the latest lawsuit but had received no reply at time of publication.

Samsung said it would proceed with its launch regardless of the complaint filed by its rival.

"Samsung believes Apple's request is without merit. We will vigorously oppose the request and demonstrate to the court that the Galaxy S3 is innovative and distinctive," it said.

"We would also like to assure consumers that the US launch and sales of the Galaxy S3 will proceed as planned. We believe that Apple's actions would only serve to disrupt consumers' access to the latest innovative mobile technology."

The clash is just the latest in a long-line of legal battles between the two firms, with both attempting to have numerous products banned from sales, and accusing one another of numerous patent and design infringements.

The firm's two chief executives were forced to meet at the behest of US judges in May but no resolution to the conflict was reached.

Friday, June 08, 2012 | 0 comments | Read More