Samsung requests ban on iPhone 4S

Samsung confirmed in the Tomorrow blog that it is filing a preliminary injunction order against Apple in Paris and Milan.

The company want the new iPhone 4S banned from sale in the respective countries due to the legal dispute between Apple and Samsung growing ever more acrimonious.

The argument is over alleged patent infringements relating to wireless telecoms technology.

"The infringed technology is essential to the reliable functioning of telecom networks and devices, and Samsung believes that Apple's violation [is] too severe and that the iPhone 4S should be barred from sales," Samsung said.

The technology giant clearly has reached a limit and believes Apple have had a ‘free ride’ on their technology for long enough.

The battle between these two global leaders is not a new one – they are several legal disputes going on around the globe. One such issue is over sales of Samsung’s Galaxy tab across the US, Australia and the European Union.

Apple recently rejected a settlement offer from Samsung in relation to the Galaxy tab in Australia (the dispute is down to the apparent similarity between Samsung’s Galaxy Tab and the iPad).

Samsung was desperate to get the device on the market for Christmas – Apple did not play ball. Steven Burley, Apple’s lawyer, told the court that they were there to prevent the Galaxy Tab launch, and, “maintain the status quo”.

Samsung then demanded to see the upcoming iPhone 5 and iPad 3 designs – rumour had it that, like Samsung, the company would be launching with a larger screen and near field communication capabilities. These requests were denied. And as we know – the iPhone 5 became the iPhone 4S (for now at least).

The twist to all of this is that Samsung provides components for Apple’s products – i.e. screens for iPhones and iPads. So isn’t this animosity all rather unnecessary?