And you thought these lawsuits couldn't get any more ridiculous. After accusing Samsung of "slavishly copying" the iPhone and iPad, Apple is now going after Samsung's accessories.
It's sent a notice of infringement to Samsung in Australia about the company's covers for its smart phones and tablets. Oh, and it'll be pursuing legal action. Merry Christmas!
Apple's lawyer Stephen Burley said this at a hearing in Sydney, Bloomberg reports. Samsung's lawyer Katrina Howard confirmed at the same hearing the company was served with the notice, accusing it of infringing at least 10 patents. We like to imagine she was giving Burley the evils too.
Neither lawyer revealed exactly which case Apple is up in arms about, but Samsung did find itself in a bit of controversy earlier this year. Accessory company Anymode announced a Smart Case for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 that closely resembled the Smart Cover for the iPad 2. Samsung had apparently approved the case, but then announced it had nothing to do with it, and the product was pulled before going on sale.
Apple accused Samsung of being a copycat back in April, succeeding in banning sales of its products in some countries. Samsung redesigned some of its products, but then just a couple of weeks ago a judge overruled the bans, allowing Samsung's Galaxy smart phones and tablets to be sold.
Despite all this, the two are still working together on the next iPhone. Given the vast scale of their manufacturing contracts, these lawsuits -- which have had negligible effect on consumers -- seem deeply petty. Just what is Apple playing at here?
Is this taking patent infringements too far? Or is Apple quite right to protect its designs? Let us know in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 15
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anonymous 21 December, 2011 12:32
It is petty in one way, but in another Samsung are just blatantly copying Apple's designs - the Smart Covers look identicle to Apple's - can't Samsung do anything of their own?
georg55 21 December, 2011 13:17
This rediculous, samsung said back at the time it had nothing to do with the smart cases,sold by a relative of the chairperson, the product was withdrawn, anyway samsung cases are for 4.3 inch phones and 10.1 inch tablets how can they be an exact copy. my attache cases looks like all attache cases, travel cases all look alike
patent phah!
anonymous 21 December, 2011 13:22
To be fair, that particular "smart" case has two completely new features: 1) Turning off the screen which detects the cover is on via magnetism, and 2) The way it is molded into 3 panels, which fold together to form a stand on which the ipad can sit, tilted at an angle. If Samsungs case copies both of those features, then clearly, it's an infringement and has no excuse.
Kyle Lyles 21 December, 2011 15:59
Apple is pure, unadulterated EVIL! They copy others' IP, then patent it, even when there is existing prior art.
Apple is many times worse than Microsoft on their worst day. I hope that every single tech company in the world will jump on the "sue Apple" bandwagon to suck every cent from Apple's coffers.
Samsung, I and many others who have had our IP stolen by Apple are with you!
Kyle Lyles 21 December, 2011 15:59
And for the Apple fanbois - if you don't believe that Apple is evil, then check this out: http://techcrunch.com/2011/12/09/apple-made-a-deal-with-the-devil-no-worse-a-patent-troll/
Kyle Lyles 21 December, 2011 16:02
Finally, note that Samsung manufactured the first tablet that sold over 1,000,000 devices back in 1989, the GRiDPad (note the case of the letters in the name, Apple stole the name iPad too!)
Peter Hudson 21 December, 2011 17:15
to be fair.
The samsung case is identical to the apple one and is a total rip off. Even if it wasnt made by samsung, it was endorsed and advertised as the official companion case to the galaxy tab.
Think apple might be right with this one
anonymous 21 December, 2011 17:29
Back when Apple made the iMac it successfully killed a number of rip-off PCs through legal challenges. They do risk losing in the "court of public opinion" if they become too well known for this tactic, rather than being a great innovator. I guess that is now up to Tim Cook.
I don't begrudge Apple for defending its work - they took a huge risk, especially with their iOS devices, and now it seems every other company is piling on with a me-too product. Won't jump to conclusions either way. That's why we have judges and courts to decide...
anonymous 21 December, 2011 22:06
"ridiculous" "petty"... tell us what you really think!! Your story is opinion masquerading as journalism.
The smart cover for the iPad is brilliant-- in design and execution. If Samsung has ripped it off, they should be stopped--and that requires taking them to court. (We no longer sanction duels in this country.) To describe this as "ridiculous" or "petty" is just silly and out of touch with reality.
If you wrote a book, or designed a new type of solar panel, or invented a mini-light weight rechargeable battery--and someone else stole your idea, product, or words, wouldn't you want redress? I suppose not.
anonymous 21 December, 2011 22:44
Good, Samsung is nothing more than a copycat factory. If Samsung thinks they can continue to rip off other peoples IP, wait till the hammer falls due to Apple's purchase of Anobit. Samsung is using Anobit technology and now will be forced to innovate a solution. Tired of these Asian companies building products off of American sweat.
anonymous 22 December, 2011 08:20
was there ever a case like the one made by Apple for the iPad2? no, so samsung copied a patented design so should be sued . come up w your own ideas. I'm banning all korean branded appliances from my home.
Jono70 22 December, 2011 10:20
Lol at everyone foaming at the mouth, from both sides of the fence. Grow up FFS.
anonymous 22 December, 2011 15:34
"... 1) Turning off the screen which detects the cover is on via magnetism, and 2) The way it is molded into 3 panels, which fold together to form a stand on which the ipad can sit, tilted at an angle. If Samsungs case copies both of those features, then clearly, it's an infringement and has no excuse ...
As far as I understand, #1 is used by Blackberry for ages.
When I was a kid the #2 was used to support paper books.
Apple would patent the air if they could. Apple did not invent anything but rather brought known things to perfection. They don't make or design screens or CPUs, they patent gestures and the shape instead preventing the industry from moving forward. This should be stopped. Lucky you can't patent these stupid things in Europe.
anonymous 28 December, 2011 13:12
Does anybody really give a toss (apart from Apple...)
anonymous 8 January, 2012 16:36
Er , well durrr , obviously , see the lines above you lol