According to Samsung execs, there’s already a plan in motion to stop the sales of the upcoming iPhone 5 in Korea. Of course the phone is not only unreleased but at this point is still unannounced. But that hasn’t stopped Samsung from preparing for the release, with a long list of patent suits.
According to The Korea Times, Samsung plans to file suits to block the sales of the iPhone 5 shortly after it launches in the country. They quote a “senior executive from Samsung Electronics” who says –
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 a senior executive from Samsung Electronics, asking not to be identified.
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.
All over the world there are pending patent infringement lawsuits between Apple and Samsung. Back in April, Apple launched an attack against Samsung, saying that their products too closely resemble Apple’s products likes the iPhone and iPad. They accused them of “slavishly copying Apple’s innovative technology” instead of “pursuing independent product development.”
Samsung hit back at Apple, filing suits related to cellphone transmission technologies. As part of that suit, they petitioned to force Apple to turn over their next gen devices back in May, but a U.S. judge denied that request.
It appears that the reported future patent disputes in Korea involve this same concept, “wireless technology related patents.”
On more little nugget from this report? The Samsung sources hinted that the iPhone 5 will, in fact, sport wireless payment functionality, or the so-called NFC technology. Early rumors said that the new phone would come equipped with NFC capabilities, but later reports have quashed that speculation, saying that NFC probably won’t arrive until the generation after the iPhone 5.