Tech Watch: Apple Takes Samsung To Court
CUPERTINO (KCBS / AP) - Apple Inc. has sued Samsung Electronics Co., saying the South Korean company's Galaxy line of smartphones and tablet computers copy Apple's popular iPad and iPhone.
In a lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. District Court, Apple alleges the product design, user interface and packaging of the Galaxy products "slavishly copy" Apple.
CNET Editor-at-Large Brian Cooley says this is one of those cases of, does it look or seem too much like what Apple makes? The Galaxy tablets do look an awful lot like an iPad, from the shape of the device, the rounded corners, the on-screen interface, and even the packaging, Cooley explains.
Cupertino-based Apple is seeking an order barring Samsung from infringing on a variety of its patents and trademarks, as well as unspecified damages.
Cooley speculates that Apple is concerned that Samsung and many other companies will take a lot of market share from them.
"Android is doing really well," Cooley says. "The latest expectations are by 2012 Android will be more numerous than the Apple phone so that's one of the things Apple is concerned about."
"If Apple wins, this won't stop the products," Cooley added. "They want Samsung to pay a license fee for the shape and style that's similar to Apple's. If they lose they'll be angry but it won't hurt them or change their fortunes over night."
A Samsung spokesman says the company's products are the result of its own research and development.
He says Samsung plans to defend itself against Apple's lawsuit.
You can hear his Tech Watch report Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:50 P.M. on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.
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