With Apple’s patent-infringement case against HTC underway in an International Trade Commission (ITC) court, the iPhone maker has filed a new legal claim against smartphone and tablet rival Samsung, the Wall Street Journal reported April 18.
In a 38-page suit filed in the U.S. District Court of Northern California, Apple alleges that the look, packaging and user interfaces of Samsung’s smartphones and tablets too closely copy the Apple iPhone and iPad.
"Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smartphone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple’s technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products," Apple claims in the lawsuit, according to the Journal.
Samsung, however, is not taking Apple’s accusations lightly. In a statement, Samsung claims its planning to take “counter-action” against Apple, according to the AFP news services.
"Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property," according to Samsung’s April 19 statement.
Apple has been a leader in the smartphone and tablet markets, setting the bar in the former and outright establishing the latter. With sales rising and revenues skyrocketing–Strategy Analytics expects tablet revenue alone to reach $49 billion by 2015–Apple is lashing out against rivals it believes are finding success on its coattails.
Apple currently has patent-infringement suits filed against smartphone giants Nokia, HTC and Motorola, among others.
Complicating the lawsuit against Samsung is that the company is additionally a parts manufacturer, and Apple is one of its major customers.
For more, read the eWEEK article: Apple, Samsung Gearing Up for Major Smartphone, Tablet Patent Fight.
