Apple and Samsung may be business partners, with the former using some of the latter's processors in its products, but that hasn't stopped Apple from suing the South Korean electronics company. Apple filed a lawsuit against Samsung last Friday, alleging that Sammy's Galaxy devices, like the Galaxy S, Epic 4G, and various Galaxy Tabs, "copy" the iPhone and iPad. The following statement is an excerpt from the suit:
"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."
Both the Galaxy S hardware and software has been described as having an iPhone-like look and feel in the past, like how the TouchWiz app drawer slides from left to right and has icons like those found on iOS. Still, this lawsuit comes as a bit of a surprise, especially considering that Samsung and Apple are indeed business partners. I'm sure that this won't be the last we've heard on this suit, so be sure to keep it locked to PhoneDog as the situation develops, and be sure drop your opinions on the validity of Apple's claims down below!
UPDATE: Both companies have come forward to comment on the situation. First up, Apple:
“It’s 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. This kind of blatant copying is wrong, and we need to protect Apple’s intellectual property when companies steal our ideas.”
And now Samsung:
“Samsung’s development of core technologies and strengthening our intellectual property portfolio are keys to our continued success. Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property.”
