As the legal brawl between Apple and Samsung continues to rage on, Samsung is attempting to obtain testimony from Apple design guru Jony Ive, as well as other Apple designers, in an attempt to ban the iPhone 4S from being sold in Australia.
Samsung has planned depositions of Apple designers Doug Satzger, Shin Nishibori, and Christopher Stringer in addition to Jony Ive. The depositions will be part of the U.S. proceedings. The testimony was initially scheduled to be taken before November 1st, but has been delayed due to scheduling conflicts and other issues. The testimony is now scheduled to be obtained by December 1st. From the motion:
Mr. Satzger is a former Apple employee represented by separate counsel. He is unable to sit for deposition before November 1 because, during the month of October, his lawyer has a full deposition schedule in a separate class action matter.
Mr. Nishibori is unable to sit for deposition before November 1 because he currently is on a voluntary leave of absence from Apple.
Mr. Ive is unable to sit for deposition before November 1 for personal reasons.
Mr. Stringer is unable to sit for deposition before November 1 because of work and scheduling conflicts.
At the same time, Samsung is requesting to see the iPhone 4S firmware source code, as well as details about agreements made between Apple and Australian mobile carriers. Samsung is especially interested in learning the amounts of subsidies paid by Telstra, Optus and Vodafone to Apple for selling the iPhones on contracts, arguing that if carriers are paying higher subsidies for the iPhone 4S, then there is less subsidy money to go around for Samsung and other device makers.