Samsung moves to ban the new iPhone 4S in France and Italy

Samsung's lawyers have been after the next generation iPhone for weeks now and after yesterday's official announcement, they've upped the ante. They've filed preliminary injunction motions to stop the 4S from selling in France and Italy, claiming patent infringement.

The iPhone 4S is supposed to go on sale on October 18 in France and on October 28 in Italy. Not if Samsung has its way. They claim Apple violates two of their WCDMA patents regarding 3G, calling it essential for the functioning of Apple's new smartphone.

Here's a quote:

"The infringed technology is essential to the reliable functioning of telecom networks and devices and Samsung believes that Apple’s violation as being too severe and that the iPhone 4S should be barred from sales.

Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free ride on our technology. We believe it is now necessary to take legal action to protect our innovation."

Samsung will probably be filing more injunction motions in more countries, following some review (or maybe they're just holding off a bit to build up tension or something).

This is part of a long, long patent battle between Apple and Samsung, which covers pretty much the entire world. It's been tablets mostly so far, but the two companies are really getting at each other's throats.

Source | Via