Samsung"s patent battle against Apple has now brought in Apple"s newly revealed iPhone 4S into the war. Samsung"s official web site has posted up a note confirming that the company will be filing preliminary injunctions in both France and Italy today. Samsung says that Apple"s newest version of its smartphone has violated two of Samsung"s wireless technology patents "specifically Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) standards for 3G mobile handsets."
In its statement, Samsung said, "The infringed technology is essential to the reliable functioning of telecom networks and devices and Samsung believes that Apple’s violation as being too severe and that the iPhone 4S should be barred from sales. Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free ride on our technology. We believe it is now necessary to take legal action to protect our innovation." The statement added that Samsung plans to file more preliminary injunctions against the iPhone 4S in other parts of the world.
Samsung and Apple"s patent battle has been raging for months with Apple claiming that Samsung"s Android-powered smartphones and tablets violate Apple"s user interface and designs for the iPhone and iPad. Earlier this week, Apple rejected an offer from Samsung in Australia to settle a dispute surrounding Samsung"s Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet. That move could keep that product from being sold in that country. Samsung says that if it is unable to get the Galaxy Tab 10.1 on store shelves in that country by mid-October, the tablet will be "commercially dead" in Australia.