Oct 25

Written by:
2011/10/25 06:39 PM 

In April Apple sued Samsung in a patent dispute alleging the Galaxy tablet and phone lines were rip-offs of the iPad and iPhone. But Samsung has now fought back with its own basket of law suits.

A preliminary injunction granted to Apple Inc. by a court in Dusseldorf, Germany, will stop the sales and marketing of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer across the continent, with the exception of the Netherlands.

Samsung is fighting back, “We’ll be pursuing our rights for this in a more aggressive way from now on”. Samsung has filed it’s own lawsuits against Apple claiming they are infringing on patents that they hold in wireless technology.  The legal battle has spread to 10 countries from the US to Germany.

People in glass houses

It’s a bit pathetic isn’t it. Apple complaining that the likes of Samsung are stealing their ideas and technology, whilst Apple themselves are guilty of doing exactly the same.

Listen Apple, people in glass houses should not through stones.

An executive from Samsung stated “Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free-ride on our technology…We will steadfastly protect our intellectual property.”

Amongst other complaints, is the main complaint that Apple has continued to use Samsung’s UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service).

But this is not the only area where the likes of Apple have stolen technology they have claimed to be their own. Amongst these are the likes of Nokia suing Apple.

How pathetic is Apple in claiming the high moral ground when they themselves are just as guilty as they claim their competitors are.

Lets all play together

It seems to me that this suit is all about the fear of taking over the market. I sense that Apple is afraid of Samsung. That they will soon take over the market share that Apple now enjoys.

In my view, The Samsung Galaxy Tab and Samsungs line of Mobile phones are superior in functionality and technology than Apples iPad and iPhone. I’m not too concerned about look and feel. Which is what is worrying to Apple.

Why can’t these big companies do what is right, pay for what they use? Share technology and pay for the rights to use other technology. They expect us to do that, why won’t they play along as well.

Consumers get hurt

Overall, these patent battles hurt consumers because all they do is stifle competition. To me that's the crux of the matter. It’s the fierce competition in the tablet and mobile areas.

Competition drives new technology. If one giant company seeks to claim the market for them selves then there is no competition and soon very little technology.

This global battle is hurting the consumer who are customers of both companies.

Apple has prevented consumers from having the opportunity to try the Galaxy 10.1 tablet.

Samsun will soon try to stop the sale of the iPhone. Who wins in this situation?

What do you think?

So what do you think of this battle? Is it justified? Should Apple, Samsung and the like just get along and play together, or is IP a significant part of a business brand?

Love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

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