Apple is reportedly requiring that an anti-cloning provision be included in any patent settlement deal it makes with Samsung. The provision, which would block the Korean firm from cloning Apple’s designs is similar to a provision included in a deal the Cupertino firm made with HTC in November 2012.
Apple and Samsung are gearing up for a second U.S. patent lawsuit slated to begin March 31, but were requested by the court to at least attempt to reach a settlement before that date.
Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents reports the anti-cloning stipulation by Apple may be a primary barrier to reaching a deal.
Mueller says “Samsung may hate the notion of an anti-cloning provision,” adding “it’s definitely at odds with the strategy that enabled Samsung to become the global market leader in smartphones.”
While Samsung may face an embarrassing stipulation that it must stop copying Apple, the Cupertino firm is also making an effort to clarify that it has no interest in granting Samsung a full, unrestricted license to use any and all of its technologies.
