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via Apple.com

Samsung seeks to block iPhone 4S sale in France and Italy

The company alleges patent infringement. It’s the latest in a string of battles between the tech giants over smartphones and tablets.

SAMSUNG SAID IT will file court injunctions in France and Italy seeking to block the sale of Apple’s latest iPhone amid an intensifying patent fight between the smartphone giants.

Samsung plans to file preliminary injunctions in Paris and Milan asking that courts block Apple’s iPhone 4S from being sold in France and Italy, alleging patent infringement of wireless telecommunications technology, the company said today.

“Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free ride on our technology, and we will steadfastly protect our intellectual property,” Samsung said in a statement.

The South Korean company did not say when the French and Italian filings would take place, but also said it plans similar moves in other countries “after further review.”

The announcement comes one day after Apple Inc. unveiled the iPhone 4S in the United States.

Seoul-based Apple spokesman Steve Park, speaking by phone from Japan, declined to comment on Samsung’s announcement.

The companies have been at odds since April when Apple took legal actions claiming Samsung’s Galaxy line of smartphones and tablet computers copy the iPhone and iPad.

Samsung has responded by taking Apple to court over what it alleges are violations of its patents covering wireless communications.

Suwon, South Korea-based Samsung Electronics Co. ranks number 2 in the world in smartphone sales behind Apple, which has headquarters in Cupertino, California.

Samsung said the technology it claims Apple infringes “is essential to the reliable functioning of telecom networks and devices” and that it sees the alleged violations as “too severe and that (the) iPhone 4S should be barred from sales.”

Apple has won sales injunctions against Samsung products in the Netherlands and Germany and is seeking one in Australia. Samsung has asked a court in the Netherlands to stop Apple from selling iPhones and iPad tablets in that country.

Watch: Here’s how Apple’s iPhone 4S works >

Read: Tablet wars roll on: Samsung v Apple >

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13 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John
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    Oct 5th 2011, 4:00 PM

    Go Samsung!

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    Mute Mike Reid
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    Oct 5th 2011, 4:06 PM

    I love it. Just because Apple has grown so big, they think they can walk over everyone and sue people left right and center. Time to taste their own medicine :)

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    Mute Tim McSweeney
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    Oct 5th 2011, 9:37 PM

    What a ridiculously lazy and ill informed comment

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    Mute Mike Reid
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    Oct 6th 2011, 8:03 AM

    Lazy? How? Apple sued them first for a ridiculous reason.

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    Mute gareth byrne
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    Oct 5th 2011, 4:02 PM

    My phone is better then your phone.Its time apple and samsung grew up.A phone is a phone no matter what make it is..

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    Mute Donny Byrne
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    Oct 5th 2011, 4:29 PM

    Who gives a sh1t…!

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    Mute Colin Rodgers
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    Oct 5th 2011, 4:05 PM

    An eye for an eye, really!

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    Mute Brian Kelleher
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    Oct 5th 2011, 4:43 PM

    G’wan the Samsung! Though this Apple/Microsoft-led patent clusterfuck has to end some time, not the purpose of the patent laws.

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    Mute Dave Boyle
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    Oct 5th 2011, 4:57 PM

    every company has the right to defend their IP portfolios. Why shouldn’t they… patents are filed for a reason, I’m sure Apple and Samsung have both spent a small fortune on R&D and when one piggy backs on the others R&D courts are there to sort out the squabble. Most likely things will end with either Samsung getting told to shut up or Apple being told to pay 10c (or something) on every 4s sale made in Italy and France…

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    Mute Feargal Garvin
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    Oct 5th 2011, 9:11 PM

    Licensing of patents for ‘standard’ technologies have to be applied fairly, reasonably and non-discriminatorily.

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    Mute angryzes
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    Oct 5th 2011, 4:22 PM

    On no! Mamma mia!

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    Mute EDDIE BARRETT
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    Oct 6th 2011, 12:48 AM

    Steve Jobs passed away – a genius !

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    Mute Eddie Barrett
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    Oct 6th 2011, 12:47 AM

    Steve Jobs has passed away Wednesday evening !

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