Samsung apparently plans to push for a ban on the sale of Apple’s unreleased iPhone 5 in South Korea, according to one unnamed company senior executive. The attempt to block the sale of Apple’s next generation iPhone model comes as yet another move as the two companies fight in courts in several countries over mobile device patent infringement allegations.
“Just after the arrival of the iPhone 5 here, Samsung plans to take Apple to court here for its violation of Samsung’s wireless technology related patents,” the anonymous company executive told The Korea Times.
Samsung isn’t hip on the iPhone 5 in South Korea
Apple and Samsung have been locked in a legal battle over patent infringement claims for several months. Both companies have alleged that the other’s mobile devices use patented technologies without proper licensing, and have filed lawsuits against each other in the U.S. and other countries.
A German court recently upheld an injunction blocking the sale of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the country, and the company filed an appeal in hopes of overturning that ruling.
Apple was also awarded a temporary injunction through a Dutch court blocking the sale of some Galaxy devices in the European Union, and Samsung has agreed to postpone sales of its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in Australia until the end of September.
Samsung most recently filed a countersuit against Apple in Australia over claims that the iPhone and iPad infringe on patents it owns.
“As long as Apple does not drop mobile telecommunications functions, it would be impossible for it to sell its i-branded products without using our patents,” the Samsung executive said. “We will stick to a strong stance against Apple during the lingering legal fights.”