The iPhone 4S has been official for less than a day, and Samsung is already plotting to block the device’s launch in some parts of Europe. The Korean electronics giant has announced that it is filing a preliminary request to have an injunction slapped on Apple’s fifth-generation iPhone in both France and Italy.
Samsung claims that the iPhone 4S infringes two of its patents related to Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) standards for 3G mobile handsets.
In a statement released just hours after the new iPhone was announced, Samsung lashes out at “free riding” Apple’s “continued” violation of its intellectual property rights:
The infringed technology is essential to the reliable functioning of telecom networks and devices and Samsung believes that Apple’s violation as being too severe and that the iPhone 4S should be barred from sales.
Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free ride on our technology. We believe it is now necessary to take legal action to protect our innovation.
Samsung is filing the injunction requests in both Paris and Milan today. The company had pre-warned Apple and fans of the iPhone last week that an injunction against the new smartphone was on its way.
And so the courtroom battles between these two companies continue. Will you be disappointed if Samsung gets the iPhone 4S delayed in France and Italy?
[via The Next Web]
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
33 responses to “iPhone 4S Will Not Launch in France or Italy if Samsung Has its Way”
Samsung is a Korean version of apple ! whatever apple does Samsung does ! cant wait for the Galaxy S II S
Consumers suffer again…
Samsung’s unethical evilness continues……they have a history of doing shit……
I think they (Apple&Samsung) need to be locked in a room/ring and sort out their differences like man, without gloves ofcourse. This bickering is getting on my nerves.
what’s samsung mobile worth? could apple just buy them?
This is great! Maybe it will force Apple to make the iPhone 5! ;)
that is annoying!
Who will still like Samsung.
I have a TV of Samsung, but I wouldn’t buy anything from samsung again, if this continues
Can I have your Apple devices then? Since they all use samsung made components. :)
I’m Italian.. and I’m living in France.
So how the F**k I am supposed to buy the iPhone.. Samsung???? FUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Are you all forgetting that Apple have sued Samsung to block their tablets to be sold in Europe?
If Samsung succeeds, people will be PISSED! Samsung then will bury themselves deeper and take their own company under. People will stop buying their products. It will turn into a popularity contest, and there is no way Samsung can win against Apple in a popularity contest. Who gives a crap about Samsung?
Totaly agree. This is a very stupid move from Samsung.
Allow me to inject some perspective.
Apple is blocking the Galaxy line based on 1) “confusingly” similar appearance and 2) certain UI patents. Europe takes counterfeiting and copying of goods very seriously. E.g. if you try to enter the region with a Chanel handbag knockoff it can be confiscated.
Samsung is attempting to block the 4S based on WCDMA patents that fall under FRAND (Google it). Europe is all about fair use and consumer rights. E.g. simlocking of phones has a maximum time period (3-24 months), after which the consumer can demand the telco unlock the phone. I’m sure Americans would love this particular bit of socialism to be available to them as well. There is no way for a violated FRAND patent to morph into a sales ban in Europe.
Samsung has a snowball’s chance of winning this round, and a very high chance of it blowing up in their faces. And by that I don’t mean just consumer sentiment, but legal action by the EU itself against Samsung.
If Samsung prevent me from buying any iPhone that I wish to buy, then I will feel like taking a baseball bat and beating up some Korean tourist gook here in Paris (my home town).
How can you blame a race of people for a companies decision? FAH
Was a stupid move from Apple when they tried to block Samsung as well according to you?
Er, yes, and Apple don’t? Apple & Samsung are using pretty much identical tactics yet one is being vilified and one praised? Get real, it’s just businesses being businesses, as disappointing as that might be.