As the pending case tally reaches almost two dozen, Samsung has decided to both go big, and go home once Apple’s flagship iPhone 5 debuts. With its Galaxy Tab 10.1 officially banned in Germany, and the GalTab 7.7 pulled off shelves at IFA in Berlin, Samsung is the only participant in the battle with casualty products.
And apparently, it’s about time to strike back. According to an unnamed senior executive at Samsung, the firm plans to file suit against the iPhone 5 as soon as its released in Korea hoping to ban sales of the killer phone on its home turf.
Here’s the direct quote out of the Korea Times:
Just after the arrival of the iPhone 5 here, Samsung plans to take Apple to court here [in Korea] for its violation of Samsung’s wireless technology related patents.
For as long as Apple does not drop mobile telecommunications functions, it would be impossible for it to sell its i-branded products without using our patents. We will stick to a strong stance against Apple during the lingering legal fights.
You hear that? The iPhone 5 would need a downgrade to iPod touch territory in order to avoid litigation from Samsung. The chances of that are about as good as Apple discontinuing the iPhone altogether, so get ready for a showdown come mid-October.
So far, Samsung has been on the receiving end of many of these lawsuits. But according to another unnamed senior executive, “We are taking different tactics since we are quite confident. If Samsung wins in Germany that will give us a big breakthrough and so will other envisioned efforts against such products as the iPhone 5.”
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For a short while after this Samsung/Apple madness started, it was somewhat expected that the fight would be resolved amicably based on the highly beneficial and symbiotic business relationship shared by the two companies. Apple is one of Samsung’s biggest customers, which is likely the reason for the South Korea-based company’s tentative attitude during these legal proceedings. But the plan has clearly changed.
Should Samsung see a victory, Apple and Samsung won’t be the only affected parties. Both SK Telecom and KT, Korea’s largest mobile carriers, will feel a loss if the iPhone 5 gets banned. As will many South Koreans who have been waiting just as eagerly as we have for the next-gen iPhone.
