Apple Wants Samsung’s Latest Devices Added To Patent-Infringement Complaint
Just last week, we learned that Samsung had requested to add the iPad mini, the fourth-generation iPad, and the sixth-generation iPod touch to its ongoing patent-infringement complaint against Apple. Now the Cupertino company is hoping to extend its own case by bringing Samsung’s latest Android devices into the mix.
Apple has targeted six Samsung devices in total, including its flagship Galaxy S III, the Galaxy Note II, the Galaxy S III Mini, the Galaxy Tab 8.9, and the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1.The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple filed documents with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California requesting permission to add these devices to its complaint.
The inclusion of the Galaxy S III Mini is interesting, because it isn’t yet available in the United States — only in Europe. However, Apple claims that it is being distributed to the U.S. through unofficial channels.
Apple’s latest claims — and those made by Samsung last week — are part of a patent-infringement that was first filed back in February by Apple, which alleges that Samsung violated a number of its patents related to user interface, technology, and the design of its products.
The case is set to be trialled in March 2014, by which time both companies are likely to have brought a lot more devices into the battle. However, if those new devices cannot be added to the same case, it would call for yet another trial.
“If Apple were not allowed to supplement now, Apple would be required to bring an entirely separate suit against the new products, involving exactly the same patents, patent claims, and legal theories,” Apple said in its filing.
This case is not related to that which saw Apple awarded $1.05 billion in damages back in August. Samsung is hoping to have this particular ruling overruled at a hearing scheduled for December 6. At this hearing, the judge is also expected to decide which — if any — Samsung products should be removed and banned from sale in the U.S. market.