Just three days after the official launch of the iPhone 4S in several countries around the world, Samsung introduced in Australia and Japan, actions in courts demanding the ban on the sale of the iPhone 4S. Those from Samsung claim that Apple has violated patents regarding telecommunications technologies but also regarding the iOS interface. The statements of those from Samsung are partly surprising considering that iOS has reached the fifth version and looks almost the same as in 2007 when Apple launched it for the first time.
Samsung Electronics Co. said it is seeking to stop the sale of Apple Inc.'s new iPhone 4S in Japan and Australia, further ramping up a legal clash with the US company after a series of setbacks in courts around the world in recent days. The Korean company said it filed on Monday for preliminary injunctions in the Tokyo District Court and in the New South Wales Registry, Australia, to stop the sale of iPhone 4S smartphones in both countries. Samsung also asked the Japanese court to stop the sale of Apple's iPhone 4 and iPad 2 devices. The filing in Japan cited infringements in technology and user interface patents, while in Australia Samsung cited patents related to wireless telecommunications standards.
The references regarding the user interface are probably related to some new method of displaying some functions in iOS and it is very likely that Apple has infringed on some Korean patents. After the refusal of the Dutch court since the block of sales of iPhone 4S terminals, those from Samsung are trying their luck in several countries, but for now only Apple has had to gain from these processes. It is unlikely that Samsung will be able to ban the sale of any Apple product in any country on the globe, but until further notice the two companies remain "locked" in legal battles that do not benefit users.
