Samsung is moving to “strike back” at Apple by strengthening its partnerships with mobile carriers to develop new technologies in order to move away from the Cupertino firm’s claims on designs – and by suing Apple if they release an LTE iPhone!
The Korea TimesThe world’s biggest smartphone maker is in talks with major telecom carriers on Apple’s home-turf such as Verizon Wireless about modified designs in Samsung Galaxy devices. It is also closely partnering with Microsoft (MS) to cut its dependency on Google Android, according to officials Wednesday.
An official from Samsung’s telecommunications division confirmed that Samsung was in talks with major U.S. carriers to jointly develop modified technology, but declined to reveal any more details.
Apple is also making plans on the legal battlefront, as its lawyers are preparing to counter the patents issues which jurors found in favor of Apple earlier this month.
Officials are quoted as saying that Samsung is preparing “all measures for all scenarios” to to continue the fight against Apple in 50 patent disputes in 10 different countries.
“Samsung was defeated in California, however, the fight isn’t over yet. The company briefly suffered from a 7.5 percent plunge in its stocks after the verdict, but the company has the capability to recover from a one-off injury. What really matters is the leadership of Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee is being put on the test as Samsung is in crisis, at least for the time being,” said Kim Sang-jo, a professor of economics at Hansung University.
Judge Lucy Koh, who presided over the Apple vs. Samsung trial, will hold an injunction hearing on December 6 to determine which of Samsung’s products should be banned from U.S. store shelves.
Of particular note: Samsung confirmed that it will immediately sue Apple if they release products using LTE mobile technology. The upcoming model of the iPhone, expected to be announced in September, is widely expected to include LTE. An essential technology like LTE ending up in court could prove very exciting indeed! Time to read up on FRAND!
According to Thomson-Reuters, Nokia ranks at the top with 18.9 percent in terms of the number of LTE patents, followed by Qualcomm with 12.5 percent, Samsung with 12.2 percent and Ericsson with 11.6 percent.
