Samsung seeks iPhone and iPad ban in Europe

27 Sep 2011

Korean electronics giant Samsung has retaliated against Apple getting its Galaxy S smartphone banned in certain EU markets by asking a Dutch court to also ban Apple iPhone and iPad devices.

Samsung alleges that Apple has violated its mobile patents and doesn’t have the license to use 3G technology b ased on the Universal Mobile Telecommunications Standard (UMTS).

If Samsung succeeds it could impact the launch of the iPhone 5 in The Netherlands.

Apple says that the 2.4pc per chip demanded by Samsung in relation to the patents was excessive.

It is likely to use the defence of fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms under which patents are licensed.

A new world war

Apple and Samsung are currently locked in over 20 lawsuits worldwide. It all appears to be part of a patent lawsuit epidemic that has consumed the major players in the mobile world.

Samsung’s counsel is arguing that Apple should have asked for a license hen it launched the iPhone globally in 2007 and in The Netherlands in 2008.

The battles have already seen Samsung Galaxy smartphones blocked in The Netherlands and its Galaxy Tab tablet computer blocked in Germany.

Apple has asked for an injunction in the US that would see Samsung Galaxy S 4G smartphones and the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer removed from shelves.

Samsung meanwhile is seeking to have imports of iPhones and iPads blocked in the US. In Australia Samsung has been forced to delay the launch of Galaxy tablet computers.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com