Samsung Planning to Block Apple’s iPhone 5 Sale in Korea

By Ranina Sanglap

Source: http://au.ibtimes.com

Apple's iPhone 5 hasn't been released yet but Samsung is already planning to launch an aggressive legal campaign to ban the device in Korea.

Insiders at the South Korean company told the Korea Times that the company plans to up its legal battle with Apple with the next generation of smartphones, starting with the much anticipated iPhone 5.

"Just after the arrival of the iPhone 5 here, Samsung plans to take Apple to court here for its violation of Samsung's wireless technology related patents," said an anonymous Samsung senior executive.

"For as long as Apple does not drop mobile telecommunications functions, it would be impossible for it to sell its i-branded products without using our patents. We will stick to a strong stance against Apple during the lingering legal fights," he added.

Another executive said that Samsung already has alternative legal strategies should its plan to ask for a ban fail.

"We are taking different tactics since we are quite confident," he said. "If Samsung wins in Germany that will give us a big breakthrough and so will other envisioned efforts against such products as the iPhone 5."

The two companies have been embroiled in a legal patent dispute that already spans half the globe with suits pending in France, Germany, Japan, Korea and the United States. Apple had temporarily blocked the sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia and Germany with Samsung filing a counter suit in Australia just last week.

The remarks from Samsung's executive if proven true could be a drastic change from the company's previous stance against Apple. The Cupertino-based company had been more aggressive in its legal battle with the South Korean company but Samsung's strategy could be changing as Apple has blocked its Galaxy Tab sales in Germany and Australia.

Apple Korea's representative Steve Park wasn't available for comment on the issue.

Source: http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/216019/20110919/samsung-apple-ipad-iphone-galaxy-tab-legal-patent-battle.htm