Apple have tried to prevent the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S3 by asking a federal court to ban the smartphone from going on sale on June 21st.
Based on the Galaxy S3 that was release in the UK at the end of last month, Apple are claiming that it infringes two of their patents. One for the use of a search interface that allows users to scan multiple sources and file types, the other for a method of carrying out actions based on data patterns.
The news follows a number patent and design disputes between the two technology giants over the past year. A judge ordered senior executives of both companies to meet in San Francisco last month to discuss settling their differences, but no settlement was reached. Since then, Apple has also sought to ban sales of Samsung’s Galaxy 10.1-inch tablets, claiming the Korean firm “blatantly” copied the iPad design.
Irreparable Harm
Apple’s lawyer Mark Lyon says “Sales of the Galaxy S3 will irreparably harm Apple for the same reasons as the Galaxy Nexus, but on a much larger scale”
In a statement from Samsung, they said “Samsung believes Apple’s request is without merit. We will vigorously oppose the request and demonstrate to the court that the Galaxy S3 is innovative and distinctive. We believe that Apple’s actions would only serve to disrupt consumers’ access to the latest innovative mobile technology.”
Samsung will go ahead with the launch on June 21st.
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the first Android-based handset to run Google’s Android 4.0 system, which goes by the codename “Ice Cream Sandwich.” Apple notes in the filing that the Galaxy Nexus has been described as “the most credible competitor to the iPhone so far” and admits that the device poses a “credible threat” to the iPhone.