German news outlet Financial Informer reported on Tuesday that Apple has won a preliminary injunction to stop the sale of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the whole of the European Union except for the Netherlands. The Regional Court of Düsseldorf appears to have sided with Apple’s claims that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 infringes on intellectual property related to the design of Apple’s iPad. Apple has a similar ongoing lawsuit in the Netherlands. Should Samsung continue to sell the tablet, the company could face fines of up to $350,000 for each violation. Foss Patents said the ruling in Germany will go into effect immediately, although Samsung could appeal the decision during another hearing. On August 1st, Apple blocked Samsung from selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia until courts there rule on whether or not the tablet infringes on 10 of Apple’s patents. Samsung agreed not to advertise or sell the device and Apple will pay damages if the South Korean company wins the Australian case.

[Via Foss Patents]

Read

Google’s general counsel Kent Walker apparently doesn’t see eye to eye with the rest of his company. “The tech industry has a significant problem,” Walker said earlier this week. “Software patents are kind of gumming up the works of innovation.” According to SEO by the Sea however, Google purchased 1,030 patents from IBM just two weeks before Walker made those comments. According to the report, the patents purchased cover a wide rage of IP, “from the fabrication and architecture of memory and microprocessing chips, to other areas of computer architecture including servers and routers as well.” Still more patents cover specific database functions, various aspects of object-oriented programming and even some business processes. The terms of Google’s acquisition have not been disclosed.

Read

Microsoft is being sued for patent infringement over motion-sensing technology used in its blockbuster gaming accessory, the Microsoft Kinect. Ohio-based Impulse Technology has filed a complaint alleging that Microsoft’s Kinect controller infringes on seven of its technology patents. One patent referenced in the lawsuit covers “wide variety of games where the movement of a player is tracked in three dimensions…and certain exercise games where the motion of the player is tracked to effect movement of a virtual avatar, and the exertion of the user is monitored, including where the tracking of the player is done by the use of a camera.” A separate patent describes an “education system challenging a subject’s physiologic and kinesthetic systems to synergistically enhance cognitive function.” Impulse Technology is seeking a permanent injunction to block the import and sale of Microsoft’s Kinect, and it is also suing Electronic Arts, Konami and Sega for developing Xbox 360 games that utilize Kinect and infringe on its patents. Impulse is seeking damages, treble damages, interest, and attorney fees from Microsoft as well. The Kinect motion-based video game controller has been a smash hit for Microsoft, having set numerous sales records since its launch. This past March, Microsoft announced that it had sold 10 million Kinect controllers since the device’s launch just before the holidays last year.

Read

Last week Samsung filed an official complaint with the International Trade Commission (ITC) asking the government body to block the import of Apple’s iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Apple flipped the tables on Samsung and has filed its own complaint with the ITC asking that it block the import of Samsung’s tablets and smartphones, Bloomberg said. The move follows Apple’s request to a U.S District Court in San Jose to block the import of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1, Infuse 4G, DROID Charge and Nexus S 4G. The legal battle has been ongoing since Apple filed a lawsuit against Samsung in April and accused the Korean phone maker of creating copycat devices that infringed on its intellectual property. Samsung bit back later in April and said that it will do everything it can to protect its own intellectual property. Meanwhile, U.S. courts have granted Apple access to Samsung’s most recent products, but have denied Samsung the same access to the Apple iPhone 5 and iPad 3. The legal battle could place strain on Samsung’s component business, which is expected to struggle during the second half of this year — Apple is the largest buyer of Samsung’s LCD products.

Read

Earlier this week Samsung filed a complaint with ITC against Apple and asked the government agency to block the import of Apple’s iPod, iPhone, and iPad. The battle between Apple and Samsung has been long drawn out. In April Apple sued Samsung over the Samsung Galaxy S, Galaxy Tab, and other products, alleging that Samsung was infringing on its intellectual property by creating copycat devices. Samsung bit back later that month and sued Apple in its own intellectual property lawsuit. Both Apple and Samsung requested that the other company show its upcoming products, but the court forced Samsung to show its new devices and denied access to Apple’s next iPhone and iPad. Apple filed another patent lawsuit against Samsung last week, again alleging that the company making unlawful use of protected IP. According to FOSSPatents, a decision on the import band could be reached in 16 to 18 months. The legal battles could take a toll on Apple and Samsung’s relationship; Apple remains the largest buyer of Samsung’s LCD products, and FOSSPatents said there are reports that Apple is planning to drop Samsung from its list of component suppliers.

Read

Apple on Friday filed a new patent infringement lawsuit in South Korea alleging that multiple Samsung products are infringing its patents. “It is no coincidence that Samsung’s latest products look a lot like the iPhone and iPad from the shape of the hardware to the user interface and even the packaging,” an Apple spokesperson said regarding case. The move is the latest in an ongoing legal battle in which each company claims the other is making unlawful use of protected IP. Apple struck first back in April when the Cupertino-based technology giant sued Samsung, claim it copied “Apple’s technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products.” Samsung responded just one week later by filing countersuits in South Korea, Japan and Germany, and then in the U.S. as well. Both companies are thought to have grounds for legal action, but their close relationship stands to take a hit as a result of the feud; Apple is currently Samsung’s largest buyer of LCD components.

Read

According to FOSS Patents, a judge in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California has ruled that Samsung cannot view Apple’s next-generation iPad and iPhone products. The whole debacle started when Apple began accusing Samsung of creating copycat products — as such, it asked the Korean firm to produce its next-generation devices inside a court room. The court took Apple’s side and Samsung was forced to show Apple the Galaxy S II, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Infuse 4G, and DROID Charge. In an effort to prepare for further legal battles with Apple, Samsung wanted the same access to Apple’s next generation products. For now, that won’t happen. The reasoning behind the judge’s decision appears to be that Samsung had already showed off its products to members of the press and others. Apple, as usual, has kept its products close to the vest.

[Via 9to5 Mac]

Read

Samsung on Monday denied Apple attorney Harold McElhinny’s claim that the two companies are currently holding high-level talks in an attempt to settle ongoing patent disputes. U.S. district judge Lucy Koh told the companies last week to meet and discuss possible amicable solutions to their disputes. McElhinny responded by saying executives from the two companies are “meeting and talking,” but Samsung is singing a different tune. “We are unaware of any meetings or discussions between the two sides over this matter,” a Samsung spokesperson said in a statement. It’s odd that Apple’s counsel would falsely claim the two companies are holding meetings if they are not, but we’re sure judge Koh will have a few choice words for McElhinny if it turns out his statement was not accurate.

Read

Executives at Apple and Samsung are attempting to reconcile their differences and settle the numerous patent disputes each company has filed recently, FierceWireless reports. Despite their partnership, the two companies are locked in an ongoing battle over patents that has drawn tremendous media attention. Apple claims that various recent Samsung products such as the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Nexus S are copycat devices that make obvious use of Apple IP without license to do so. Samsung responded by filing a series of suits against Apple claiming that the Cupertino-based firm is infringing on 10 of its patents covering mobile devices. Harold McElhinny, Apple’s attorney, confirmed to the judge presiding over the case that executives from each of the two companies “are in fact meeting and talking.” Samsung did not confirm McElhinny’s statement. Apple is Samsung’s top display panel customer and several analysts have speculated that an ongoing legal dispute could cause tension between the two tech giants.

[Via The Loop]

Read

In April, Apple filed a lawsuit against Samsung for intellectual property violations and alleged that Samsung’s Galaxy S, Nexus S, Epic 4G, and Galaxy Tab products, among others, were copycat devices that all-to-closely resembled Apple’s products. Now, the Cupertino-based firm has expanded that initial lawsuit to include several more of Samsung’s devices, including the DROID Charge, Exhibit 4G, Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Prevail, Galaxy S, Gravity, Infuse 4G, Nexus S 4G, Replenish, Galaxy Tab 10.1, and the Galaxy S II. Here’s the kicker: Apple also believes Samsung’s hardware QWERTY sporting Sidekick 4G is infringing on its intellectual property. Apple argued that Samsung has products that “blatantly imitate the appearance of Apple’s products to capitalize on Apple’s success.” Samsung responded to the original lawsuit in April and said it is “responding actively to the legal action taken against us in order to protect our intellectual property and to ensure our continued innovation and growth in the mobile communications business.” Read on for taste of Apple’s revised complaint.

Apple also said:

Before Apple’s introduction of the first iPhone product, no other company was offering a phone with these features. Prior mobile phones were often bulkier and contained physical keypads. Some had a rocker-style navigation button and sets of buttons for numbers and calling features. Others had a front panel with a partial or full QWERTY keyboard and a screen. None had the clean lines of the iPhone, which immediately caused it to stand apart from the competition.

[Via 9to5 Mac]

Read

After a federal judge ordered Samsung to grant Apple access to several unreleased devices last week, the Korean electronics giant responded by demanding the same access to Apple’s unannounced iPhone 5 and iPad 3. Apple and Samsung are currently tied up in a legal battle surrounding Apple’s claims that several new Samsung devices “copy Apple’s technology, user interface and innovative style.” A judge granted Apple access to Samsung’s Galaxy S II, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Infuse 4G, and DROID Charge in order to help the company determine whether or not to request an early injunction. In turn, Samsung’s lawyers on Friday filed a motion requesting access to Apple’s next-generation iPhone and iPad. Samsung claims it needs to examine the devices in order to evaluate any possible similarities so it can prepare for possible further legal action from Apple. The judge has not yet determined whether or not Samsung will be granted access to the devices.

Read

According to a report by Citi analyst Walter Pritchard, Microsoft may be making more money off Google’s Android operating system than it makes off its own Windows Phone platform — five times more, in fact. Pritchard states that as a result of a patent settlement, HTC is required to pay Microsoft $5 for every Android phone sold. Analyst Horace Dediu estimates that HTC has sold 30 million Android smartphones to date, which adds up to $150 million in the bank for Microsoft. Dediu notes that Microsoft has reported Windows Phone sales totaling 2 million licenses to date, and he estimates the company’s license fee to be $15 for a total of just $30 million. Pritchart notes that Microsoft is currently suing other Android phone makers for infringements on the company’s intellectual property, and is seeking between $7.50 and $12.50 per device sold. As much money as the company is making on sales of HTC’s Android phones, it’s easy to see why Microsoft is pursuing other cell phone makers with similar suits.

[Via Asymco]

Read

Google was recently granted permission to purchase a patent portfolio previously held by Modu, a now defunct Israeli cell phone maker that couldn’t find a market for its minuscule mobile phones. Modu emerged in 2008 touting a peculiar modular cell phone that could be placed in a variety of sleeves to perform different functions. The unique phones, while certainly interesting, lacked mass appeal and were only picked up by a few carriers. Modu would later unveil several new tiny cell phone models as it prepared for an IPO, but the company would instead be forced to shutter its operations when it ran out of cash. Proceeds from Google’s $4.9 million IP purchase will be used to pay back Modu’s creditors and former Modu employees who are still due wages. Google is likely eyeing future Android functionality that might be made possible by its acquisition of Modu’s patent portfolio, though the company has not revealed any plans related to Modu’s former patents.

Read

On Monday The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple filed suit against Samsung for intellectual property violations in its Galaxy S, Galaxy Tab, Nexus S, and Epic 4G devices, and now, Samsung is fighting back. “Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property,” the company said in a statement obtained by Korea’s AFP. “Apple is one of our key buyers of semiconductors and display panels. However, we have no choice but respond strongly this time,” one Samsung official explained. Furthermore, the Korea-based firm may file a lawsuit of its own. “We think Apple has violated our patents in communications standards,” Chung Jae-woong, a spokesperson at Samsung Electronics, told Yonhap News. “We are considering a counterclaim.” Apple said on Monday that Samsung’s aforementioned Galaxy family of products copied its user interface and “innovative style.”

[Via AFP]

Read

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Cupertino-based iDevice manufacturer Apple, Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Korea’s Samsung Electronics for intellectual property violations on a host of devices. “Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple’s technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products,” reads the complaint. Apple has taken exception to the technologies used by Samsung’s popular Galaxy S, Nexus S, and Epic 4G smartphones as well as the Galaxy Tab tablet. Neither Apple nor Samsung has publicly commented on the freshly filed suit, but we’re sure this isn’t the last you’ll be hearing about this particular case.

Read