Technology patents are indeed a high stake game and practically all the major tech companies are embroiled in bitter IP infringement
suits. Tech giant Apple has more than its fair share of such experience, both being a defendant and plaintiff. Now, it has upped the war by filing a new suit against Samsung. Interestingly, Samsung is also one of its most prominent suppliers. Apple has accused Samsung of 'slavishly' copying its iPhone and iPad for designing Galaxy range of mobile phones and tablets. Oh, just when we thought that the poor sales performance of Galaxy Tab was Samsung's only worry!
In its suit, Apple has claimed the infringement of 'Trade Dress' properties, which enumerates all the real (or imagined) ways in which Apple thinks Samsung has copied its designs. It particularly mentions attributes such as 'a metallic surround framing the perimeter of the top surface' and 'a rectangular product shape with all four corners uniformly rounded." That's some thorough nitpicking. Although, we do agree that Apple does have some ground here but they say that imitation is the best form of flattery. So, Apple just needs to chill. Apart from this, despite the some similarities, nobody is in the 'danger' of mistaking an Apple product for Samsung gadget or vice versa, so actually there is no harm done.
However, Samsung is not ready to take it lying down and is already sharpening its legal claws. The company is now planning to countersue Apple. By the way, if you are worried that the legal woes may disrupt the supply of Samsung parts to Apple, then just take a sigh of relief. It is unlikely that the two matters will affect each other. The Korean tech company supplies display panels and semiconductors to Apple. Samsung is now looking to sue Apple for violating its 'communications standards'.
Apple itself is fighting quite a few legal battles for allegedly infringing patents. Among others, Nokia has accused Apple of violating its touch user interface, while Apple has held HTC guilty of copying its packaging ideas. We just hope that Samsung is not forced to forego 'round curving' of its phones. We would not want our Galaxy phone to come with razor sharp edges.