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Apple’s asked the US courts to issue an injunction that would stop Samsung from selling four of its hottest gadgets in the States.
Patent blog Foss Patents reports that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is among the targeted devices. It’s an imminent iPad rival that underwent a redesign to make it slimmer and lighter after the iPad 2 was announced.
Apple’s also asked that the Nexus S 4G, Infuse and Droid Charge be blocked from sale. Those three phones aren’t headed to the UK, but the Tab 10.1 is — it’s supposed to go on sale here on 4 August.
Apple reckons these devices infringe on three of its design patents and one utility patent, which concerns “list scrolling and document translation, scaling, and rotation on a touchscreen display.”
The claim states: “Apple’s iPhone and iPad mobile devices are among the most distinctive and commercially successful products in the world. The success of these products is no accident. Samsung chose to copy Apple, not to innovate. The message that Samsung conveys to consumers with its imitative smart-phone design is simple: ‘It’s just like an iPhone.'”
Steve Jobs and co continue: “Samsung is ramping up a massive assault on Apple’s market and is doing so with products that blatantly infringe Apple’s intellectual property rights. Preventing that assault from irreparably harming Apple is a matter of the utmost urgency.”
Strong words indeed. If the request is successful, it could prove devastating for Samsung. The legal attack is part of an ongoing spat between Apple and Samsung, in which Apple has forced its Korean rival to hand over prototypes for the Galaxy S 2, Galaxy Tab 8.9 and other devices.
We reckon Samsung’s kit does bear a resemblance to Apple gadgetry — both companies don’t half like making small, thin, black rectangles. But should Samsung be penalised? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below, or on our Facebook page.
