Samsung threatens to sue Apple immediately if they release an LTE iPhone
Samsung and Apple have been in the news quite a lot lately, mostly as a result of the massive patent lawsuit in which a jury just awarded Apple over $1 billion in damages. Both Google and Samsung have responded already, with Samsung being the more outspoken of the two. However, it would seem that Samsung didn’t say quite all it wanted to a few days ago, as they have just released a statement that could be best defined as “fighting words.”
The Korea Times is reporting that Samsung has “confirmed that it will immediately sue Apple if the latter releases products using advanced long-term evolution (LTE) mobile technology.” Basically, Samsung intends to fight back if Apple decides to use a technology that just might be covered under the patents in its LTE portfolio. Although the iPad already includes LTE connectivity, Samsung’s statement seems directed more towards the iPhone, which would make sense based on the likelihood of a fall announcement.
Although I’m mostly on Samsung’s side in this battle, I can’t say that I approve of this use of their patents. Sure, many (not all) of the patents Apple used to sue Samsung were very broad and general, but that doesn’t meant that Samsung should retaliate in the same way. Whether it is Apple attacking Android or Samsung attacking Apple, the use of broad FRAND patents for infringement lawsuits simply shouldn’t happen. I don’t know what it will take for the current system and situation to change, but responding to a bad patent suit with another one isn’t going to help at all.
[BGR]
