GMA NEWS:
Will Korea's Samsung Electronics spoil the long-awaited coming-out party of Apple Inc.'s iPhone 5, at least in Korea?
A report on The Korea Times cited sources who said Samsung may cite patent issues in seeking a sales ban on the new iPhone.
"Just after the arrival of the iPhone 5 here, Samsung plans to take Apple to court here for its violation of Samsung’s wireless technology related patents," The Korea Times quoted a senior executive from Samsung Electronics, who asked not to be named.
But the report said the executive's remarks contrast with Samsung’s approach of not entering into a dogfight with Apple.
Apple earlier brought up patent issues with Samsung’s Galaxy series of smartphones and tablets.
But Samsung claimed Apple’s iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPad 2 violate seven patents related to its wireless technology.
The Korea Times report said at least 23 lawsuits are pending between Apple and Samsung in such countries as France, Japan, Germany, Korea and the United States.
"For as long as Apple does not drop mobile telecommunications functions, it would be impossible for it to sell its i-branded products without using our patents. We will stick to a strong stance against Apple during the lingering legal fights," the executive said.
Affected telecom firms
If Samsung manages to suspend the latest iPhone, it could affect SK Telecom and KT, Korea's top two mobile carriers authorized to sell iPhones.
KT spokesman Lee In-won said KT will pay attention to the ongoing patent battles, while SK Telecom spokeswoman Kim Ji-won made no comment.
KT and SK Telecom have sold some 2.7 million and 400,000 iPhones in the local market, respectively.
Samsung's client
Apple is one of Samsung's major clients as many of its i-products use Samsung flash memories.
Upcoming iPhone specs
The upcoming iPhone uses LG Display’s liquid crystal display (LCD), Samsung’s NAND flash memories and application processors (APs) and LG Innotek's camera modules. It is also likely to have an 8-megapixel camera and an A5 dual-core processor.
Yet, the report said there are chances that the standoff between Samsung and Apple may ease as Samsung is reluctant to make an enemy of Apple.
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Information Courtesy of GMA News / TJD
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