Samsung-Apple legal battle worsens as more lawsuits filed in Asia
Suwon, South Korea (AHN) – The brewing legal battle between Samsung Electronics and Apple worsened over the weekend as the South Korean firm filed lawsuits in Japan and Australia to prevent the sales of Apple’s iPhone 4S.
That is on top of an injunction sought by Samsung to prevent the sale of the iPad 2 and iPhone 4 in Japan over patent infringement claims. It is Samsung’s way to get back at Apple, which won injunctions against the launch of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia, Germany and other countries.
Samsung also filed suits in France and Italy to ban the sales of iPhone 4S in those countries.
Analysts observe the legal tussle between the erstwhile business partners is lasting longer and has become more extensive than original expectations, but believe the two tech giants will eventually settle.
Despite the issuance last week by Australian Federal Court Justice Annabelle Bennett of a temporary ban on the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, Australians went around the ban by ordering the gadget online.
Among the online retailers that offer the device to Australians are eBay, MobiCity.com.au, Expansys, Technrific and dMavo. These firms order their stocks from Hong Kong and deliver the orders to Australians. Some even offer a 12-month Australian warranty.
A patent expert said that Bennett failed to take into consideration the global consumer economy so the injunction she issued against Samsung has no practical value, except for local retailers or resellers which have been threatened by Apple with lawsuits if they sell the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to locals.
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