Apple Seeks to Add Samsung Galaxy S4 to U.S. Patent Lawsuit

galaxy_s4_whiteJust weeks after the launch of Samsung's latest Galaxy S4 flagship smartphone, FOSS Patents reports that Apple is seeking to add the device to a patent lawsuit already underway against Samsung in the United States.

Judge Lucy Koh has already ordered Apple and Samsung to narrow their case, which is expected to go to trial in March 2014. Each side will ultimately be required to limit their cases to ten targeted devices, although the current stage is seeing the companies pare their lists to 22 devices each.

The filings reveal a major new disagreement: Apple has analyzed the Galaxy S4, Samsung's new top-selling product, and "has concluded that it is an infringing device and accordingly intends to move for leave to add the Galaxy S4 as an infringing product". Apple's current list of 22 accused products does not include the S4, but a footnote contains the statement from which I just quoted. Apple says it will drop another product from its list of 22 accused products once it has permission to add the S4 to this litigation.

The two sides are also continuing to disagree over what constitutes a single product, with Samsung arguing that each carrier version of its devices should count as a separate product, seeking to shift the balance by taking advantage of its significantly larger number of devices compared to Apple's lineup.

Apple's list of 22 products currently covers a number of Samsung's smartphone and tablet devices, while Samsung's own list includes virtually every device and service offered by Apple, including all iPad and Mac models, all iPhone models dating back to the iPhone 3G, the last three iPod touch generations, 1st and 3rd generation Apple TV models, and even iTunes and iCloud. While the battle between Apple and Samsung has focused mainly on mobile devices until now, Samsung's counterclaims have sought to bring Apple's Mac lineup and services into the dispute by asserting infringement of a patent related to multimedia synchronization across devices.

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Top Rated Comments

MegamanX Avatar
154 months ago
Color me surprised. Apple the worlds biggest cry baby does it again.

To me this just tells me Apple is running scared.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hexonxonx Avatar
154 months ago
And to think we are funding this nonsense with every Apple purchase.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
154 months ago
Yawn. MR needs a back page where they can post all this patent BS.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ryth Avatar
154 months ago
You'll be back... we ALL come back.

Yes... I was an owner of these phones in this order...

iPhone

iPhone 3G

T-Mobile G1

iPhone 3G

iPhone 3GS

Moto Droid

iPhone 3G

Nexus One

iPhone 3GS

iPhone 4

Galaxy S II

iPhone 4

iPhone 4S

Galaxy S III

iPhone 5

Note II

HTC One

and now currently...

iPhone 5.

Yes... you will be back. They ALL COME BACK!

You should see a doctor about your spending addiction...
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
inselstudent Avatar
154 months ago
seriously, so annoying. didn't cook even say he never supported the idea of taking samsung to court? why won't they just stop it? the judges should fine both of them 1bn and donate it to children in africa
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ambush083 Avatar
154 months ago
Well if they would spend more time making better products and less time busting Samsung's balls they might be a bit more productive.

I know, Apple does things incrementally. They're so darn behind though. It's really pathetic. I hope they do a major overhaul on iOS7 instead of a stupid flat design. I'm not really that excited for something so small and mediocre.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)