Apple has filed a new patent lawsuit against rival Samsung, accusing the company of copying the look and feel of the iPhone and iPad for its own Galaxy-branded smartphone and tablet products.
The suit, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, claims the South Korean electronics company copied Apple's mobile devices with products like the Galaxy S, Nexus S and Epic 4G smartphone, as well as the Galaxy Tab touchscreen tablet.
Apple has accused Samsung of violating patents it owns related to the design and creation of the iPhone and iPad. Last September, APC observed that Samsung's Galaxy Tab accessories were so similar to the iPad that the site said, "we can feel an Apple lawsuit coming on."
"Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple's technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products," the complaint reads.
The growing rivalry between Samsung and Apple is complex, because Apple is also the largest customer of Samsung, with a reported $7.8 billion in purchases planned for 2011. Samsung builds the custom chips used by Apple in devices like the iPhone and iPad, and also supplies flash memory and liquid crystal displays.
Apple's latest legal action is similar to a suit filed over a year ago against HTC. In that complaint, Apple accused HTC of infringing on 20 iPhone-related patents, and cited Google Android-powered handsets including the Nexus One.
"We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We've decided to do something about it," Apple co-founder Steve Jobs said in a statement that accompanied the HTC lawsuit. "We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours."
Apple is also engaged in a high-profile legal battle with another major rival, Nokia. Apple has sued Nokia, and is also being sued in an ongoing patent infringement suit.
The funny thing is... Samsung makes quite a bit of components for Apple (screen, DRAM, flash).. I really don't know what Cupertino is smoking there... they are shooting themseleves on the foot.
Samsung introuduced the Galaxy S line some time in mid-2010, and it was top of the line of Android last year. I think at that time, there were the Desire, Droid-X, Legend, Incredible and a few others. It was the only one that stood up to the iPhone. It was also the main reason I got mine. It was simply the fastest last year.
Samsung will still do it this year with the 1.2Ghz (if not 1.4Ghz) dual processor Galaxy S II with the 4.3" Super AMOLED II with a larger battery. Obviously they will rush this out before the iPhone 5 hits the store later this year.
Apple sued HTC last year too, so the battle between Google is endless. You can say that Samsung is one of the biggest player in the Android market, obviously it will not be fair if Apple just sues HTC right?
Although Samsung feels plasticky, it still has the best AMOLED screen and spec. Otherwise, Google won't have Samsung to make their flagship Nexus S.
After I use iphone, I can't force myself to buy an iphone or ipad.
So boring. No features, no customization, and etc... can only do what Apple tells you. The launcher is just a damn app drawer, no gadget, no animation....
I don't like the samsung phones too, so plastic feel.