Prior to the release of the iPhone 5, Samsung promised the smartphone would be added to the ongoing patent dispute, and since that point, both companies have taken it in turns to name as many of the other’s devices as possible. With this weekend being Thanksgiving and all, you might think both companies would take a break, have a little turkey, and enjoy watching the customers flock to stores to grab the limited deals. Apple is not known for taking anything lying down when it comes to intellectual property, though, and in viewing Friday as just another day, took the opportunity to add more of Samsung’s devices to the ever-increasing list of claims.
According to resident patents expert Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents, Apple has duly responded to Samsung request to add the latest iPads, iPhone 5 and iPod touch 5G to its list of claims. Thus far, the iPhone 5, Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 10.1 have all been approved, but Apple is looking to up the ante once more by adding a further six devices to the list. These include the Galaxy S III running Android Jelly Bean (not Jelly Bean on its own), the newly-released Galaxy Note II, Galaxy Tab 8.9 Wi-Fi, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Rugby Pro and Galaxy S III mini.
It should be of intrigue to see Apple include Jelly Bean as an infringer, but we’ve grown used to Apple’s attempts to throw Google into the fray, looking to kill two birds with one stone, as it were. We’ll find out soon enough whether the court approves these latest motions by Apple, but in truth, both companies should be preoccupied with promoting products ready for the big holiday rush, which has already started.
The past week or two have probably been the busiest in the ongoing disputes between the two companies. Samsung has demanded the courts force Apple to reveal details of its pact with HTC – a licensing agreement made on the 10th November lasting ten years – since it could be “highly relevant” to this particular case. Apple responded typically, citing it would reveal the contents, but obscure anything of interest, yet despite having reservations about Samsung’s motives, Judge Paul S. Grewal has granted the Korean company its wish.
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