Samsung files complaint with ITC against Apple to block iPhone, iPad

News of the Samsung and Apple legal battle seems to be making weekly headlines. It started when Apple accused Samsung of “slavishly copying” its mobile designs (i.e. iPhone, iPad) and having no innovative products of its own. Samsung fired back by suing Apple for wireless patent infringements. Last week, we learned that Apple sued Samsung in its home base, South Korea, for several patent infringements. This time around, Samsung is filing a complaint with the International Trade Commission to place an injunction on the import of iPhone and iPad devices into the U.S.

Yeah, this one isn’t going to fly. Electronista reports:

The strategy is most likely a defensive measure against Apple’s original lawsuit. Companies regularly use ITC complaints as bargaining chips in patent lawsuit cases as its faster processing and the threat of a trade ban can lead some companies to negotiate a settlement rather than fight a case in court.

Despite the legal action against each other, both Samsung and Apple plan to continue conducting business with each other where Samsung acts as a components supplier to Apple.

For now, it doesn’t seem like any of this legal action is really going anywhere, and these sorts of things can sometimes take years. As long as it isn’t stifling innovation or production, consumers shouldn’t worry about it too much.

[Via: Electronista]