Apple: Samsung's Galaxy line rips off the iPhone and iPad

by Steven Mostyn - Apr 19 2011, 07:08

Have you ever stopped to consider that most of today’s cutting-edge smartphone handsets and tablet computers all look an awful lot like Apple’s trend-setting iPhone and iPad?

Well, while you or I may spare only a passing thought for such similarities—preferring instead to merely enjoy the products at hand—it would appear Apple has clearly been spending a lot or time stewing over such details.

More pointedly, Jobs & Co. have this week launched a legal attack against market rival Samsung, claiming that its Galaxy-branded mobile devices copy the look, product design, packaging and user interface utilized by Apple’s own products.

The suit, which was filed at a U.S. District Court in San Francisco, also contends that Samsung is in violation of no less than seven Apple-held trademarks and patents.

“Instead of pursuing independent product development, Samsung has chosen to slavishly copy Apple’s innovative technology, distinctive user interfaces, and elegant and distinctive product and packaging design, in violation of Apple’s valuable intellectual property rights,” reads Apple’s complaint against the South Korean electronics giant.

Beyond seeking to secure a court order preventing Samsung from further infringing on its established patents and trademarks, Apple is also claiming monetary compensation and other “reasonable funds” to help it deploy “corrective advertising”.

Update: Clearly intent on standing its ground, Samsung has released a statement outlining that it “will respond actively to this action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property.”

It has also insisted that its ever-expanding product portfolio consists of nothing but proprietary-developed core technologies.

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