After slapping a ban on Samsung Tab 10.1 and Nexus could Galaxy S III be next on Apple radar?
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Maybe, but if Apple decides Samsung’s Galaxy S III infringes upon more of its technology patents, it will stall the patents trial between the sparring duo due to kick off again at the end of the month.
Samsung Galaxy S III is its critically acclaimed new flagship 4.8″ phone, released last month in ths US and globally, dubbed the device the forthcoming iPhone 5 must beat, and is to sell a total of 10 million in July, Samsung said last week.
Apple won its case Friday last and was granted a preliminary injunction allowing the ban of Google Nexus for sale in the US – the smartphone it co-created with Google and is the second Samsung casualty in a matter of weeks.
The Cupertino giant is claiming a string of Samsung devices including Galaxy S II, Nexus, Tab 8.9 and Tab 10.1 all infringe on unique Apple mobile technology and “slavishly” copies its look and feel of iPhone and iPad.
The Nexus was given the injunction by Judge Lucy Koh, who ruled the smartphone very likely infringed Apple’s “Siri patent” relating to unified search technology along with three others.
“Apple could attack the S III with the Siri patent,” patents guru, Florian Mueller, told SmartHouse this week, but, notes, ” the judge indicated an attack on the S III would delay the July 30 trial.”
Still, “if Apple moved for a preliminary injunction against the S III now over the Siri patent, it would be very likely to win,” Mueller blogged following Friday ruling in the US banning the sale of Google Nexus.
Early last month, Apple did apply for a second motion against Samsung, “to supplement the record regarding Samsung’s Galaxy S III ” claiming it infringed the Siri ‘604’ patent and ‘647 data tapping patents.
However, arch enemy Samsung insisted the Court would require Apple to file a new motion and allow the parties to develop a full factual record on all four factors, notes Foss Patents, and the request was denied by the Californian court.
Last week, Apple did manage to get a preliminary injunction against the sale of Samsung Tab 10.1 in the US, also an Android OS device, which was similarly banned in Australia last year, although this was later lifted late November.
And the head to head tech patents battle between the two tech giants, which kicked off in 2010, is not confined to the courtroom. Samsung previously tried to get the iPhone 4S banned in several countries including OZ, but was refused.
But figures out today showing Samsung still lead Apple in the critical US market with over 25% marketshare, and could inflame Apple’s rage against its Android rival, especially since the S III is now of the most preordered tech devices ever.
