Samsung reeling after European loss seeks iPhone 4S ban

Samsung has made the latest move in the patent war between itself and Apple. The South Korean company filed papers in Japan and Australia looking to have sales of the new iPhone 4S banned.

In a statement released by Samsung, in Tokyo and New South Wales, Australia, the electronics giant filed papers alleging that Apple’s iPhone 4S infringed on Samsung’s technology patents and should therefore not be sold.

Samsung also announced that it was seeking a ban on the sale of iPad 2, also for alleged patent infringements.

In a statement which pulled no punches, Samsung said Apple “has continued to violate our patent rights and free-ride on our technology,” adding that it would “no longer stand idly by” and that it would “steadfastly protect our intellectual property”.

In the Japanese filing, Samsung also accused Apple of violating multiple patents it held for technologies essential for operating mobile phones.

In another trial between the two companies in Australia, Samsung lodged papers appealing against a decision by Australian courts to suspend sales of the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 tablet. The suspension of sales of Samsung’s most advanced tablet came about after Apple lodged papers in Australia saying that the tablet infringed on touchscreen technology patents held by Apple.

This patent war between Apple and Samsung is being waged all over the globe.

In a blow to Samsung, Dutch courts recently dismissed Samsung’s suit seeking to stop the sale of any Apple items using 3G technology in the country. Counter-claims from Apple were also dismissed.

Samsung’s Dutch 3G claim was dismissed on the grounds that, although Samsung does own the patents to 3G technology, the patents are essential to the operation of cellular products. According to the widespread understanding of fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, therefore, Samsung and Apple should reach a licensing deal.

If the court had ruled in favour of Samsung, the South Korean company would effectively have owned 3G technology in the Netherlands.

According to analysts, this ruling will most probably be seen as a precedent across other European nations where Samsung has filed similar suits.