Japan is the next stop in Apple’s far-reaching attempt to stop the spread of Samsung rival devices. The tech giant has filed suit in Tokyo asking the court to suspend sales of the Galaxy S and Galaxy S II smartphones, as well as the Galaxy Tab 7 tablet. The Galaxy S is outselling the iPhone in this tech-obsessed Asian nation.
An initial hearing on the patent-infringement lawsuit was held Wednesday in Tokyo District Court, according to Reuters. In the lawsuit, Apple asks for $1.3 million in damages and a suspension of sales of the Samsung devices in Japan.
Last week, a German court halted sales of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 7.7 tablet. Samsung has also delayed Australian sales of the tablet, pending the outcome of a September court ruling. In that case, an Australian judge has suggested Apple needs to supply sales figures bolstering its claim the Samsung device — which it calls “slavishly” similar to the iPad — will hurt demand for the Cupertino, Calif. company’s product.
