Samsung Demands iOS 6 Code in South Korea Patent Fight

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Samsung wants Apple to hand over the code for iOS 6 so it can look for evidence to back up its claims that the Notification Center feature on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch infringes on its patents. The request, which Apple is refusing, was made as part of the company's patent fight in South Korea.

Samsung to Apple: Show me the codeSamsung to Apple: Show me the code

Apple's legal team called the request "insane," adding "It doesn't make any sense. Samsung is saying that we should give up protecting our most important data," according to Korea Times.

Samsung, however, sees the request differently. The company argued that it wouldn't be able to confirm if Apple really was infringing on its patents without examining the code.

Samsung said it registered the patent in late 2006, and Apple implemented it as an iOS update in 2011. Apple countered that the feature was already in wide use before Samsung tried to take control over it.

Apple and Samsung have been fighting in courts around the world over claims that they are infringing on each other's mobile device patents. Apple was awarded US$1 billion in 2012 when a U.S. court ruled Samsung infringed on several of its patents while at the same time ruling Apple wasn't infringing on Samsung's. Samsung has been fighting that ruling.

Apple also refused a Samsung request to have its software engineers testify. The court in Seoul is now considering who to respond to Samsung's requests.

Jeff Gamet

Jeff Gamet

Jeff is the Mac Observer's Managing Editor, and co-host of the Apple Context Machine podcast. He is the author of "The Designer's Guide to Mac OS X" from Peachpit Press, and writes for several design-related publications. Jeff has presented at events such as Macworld Expo, the RSA Conference, and the Mac Computer Expo. In all his spare time, he also co-hosts the We Have Communicators podcast, and makes guest appearances on several other podcasts, too. Jeff dreams in HD.

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1 Comments

MOSiX Man

Really? Somehow, I see Apple being disinclined to acquiescing to that request.

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