Samsung will sue Apple over LTE iPhone

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Samsung confirmed that it will immediately sue Apple if the latter releases products using advanced long-term evolution (LTE) mobile technology. LTE has been emerging as the top standard in the global mobile industry. According to data from Thomson-Reuters, Nokia ranked top with 18.9 percent in terms of the number of LTE patents, followed by Qualcomm with 12.5 percent, Samsung Electronics with 12.2 percent and Ericsson with 11.6 percent.

This is going to be an interesting year.



  • http://twitter.com/CoreyTamas Joel In Real Life

    And by “interesting”, you mean “childish.”

  • http://twitter.com/icespide Peter Bault

    why didn’t they sue after they released the iPad with LTE?

    • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

      They were still “cool” at that time. After you get slapped around like they did…things are no longer on a level of retaining a working relationship.

  • Thomas

    what about the iPad ?

  • http://twitter.com/jgpmolloy John Molloy

    Here’s the thing. I thought the whole point of the Rockstar purchase of the Nortel patents were covering LTE? Are they not in the list at all?

    • imthedude

      According to what I read, they certainly are in the list. I can’t link it because it will sit in moderation for ages, but if you look around you can find it.

  • http://twitter.com/forty2j Jim McPherson

    Apple: “Cheater! You copied our test!” Samsung: “Yeah? Well, we invented the ball on ballpoint pens, and you used one to take the test!”

  • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

    Apple clearly made an enemy here. Samsung played it cool at first but now the gloves are off and it is 100% understandable.

    As you’re taught growing up: “Don’t throw a punch unless you’re willing to take one.”

    • kibbles

      er, except defending your products against ripoff artists isn’t throwing a punch. it’s defending yourself from the initiator.

      • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

        Sure it is.

  • quietstorms

    I wonder if Samsung’s aware that Apple was part of the Rockstar group that purchased the patents from Nortel which relates to many technologies in LTE.

    Seems like Samsung should do a better job on their homework.

  • Mother Hydra

    Apple made an enemy? You honestly think they care or can’t take a punch? They got their face curbed in the 90′s by Microsoft, I think they know what a punch feels like, got those old soul eyes now, ya dig daddy-o?

    It will take more than a few months for a body like the ITC to ban imports of a new apple product- and by that time it has already sold a bajillion times over (yup, checked my numbers , at least a bajillion, possibly kazillions but we shall see). After a milestone win, I think Samsung has much more ground to make up in the hearts and minds of the 99% of people that aren’t armchair tech pundits. And this will smack of desperation, their PR after the court decision was squarely in the “dog with a tail tucked under” camp. I think Apple should be more aggressive with Samsung, sue them for the MacBook Air rip-offs. Engadget should be angry that their ID mark got shamelessly swiped by Samsung. I fail to see how anyone can defend a company like this with a proven, widely available and factual accounting of their KIRFy-ness. Their products aren’t that great to top it all off. da derp.

    • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

      I never said they cared or couldn’t take a punch. I’m merely pointing out their frienemy relationship is now enemy and Samsung is fighting back.

      LMBO @ “ya dig daddy-o” wording. Def’ dig throwback language. ;-) haha.

      I disagree w/ products not being great. I love my Samsung TV. My S3 is actually a solid device (feels incomplete in a few areas but I’d rate it a great device).

      I do agree on the ban taking a little while but Apple got the HTC One series banned, albeit short lived, in a matter of a week or so. It is possible to rush one through.

      I also agree on them making up in the hearts/minds of the 99%. Many don’t know or care what just happened but those that do probably would shy away from Samsung purely based on the “eww…they cheated” cloak they wear now.

  • http://mikenayyar.com mikenayyar

    Wouldn’t Apple have LTE protection from their cross licensing agreement with Nokia, as well the Nortel patents?

    • Mother Hydra

      I’m curious too, we’ll have to wait and see if they even attempt to go the FRAND route over those or if they just go in guns blazing.

    • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

      That was my thought as well.

  • milanyc

    How’s Samsung ever gonna win this one? Apple uses Qualcomm baseband chipsets so the licensing is taken care on a chipset vendor level. LTE essential patents are covered by FRAND, Samsung will lose more than gain from this lawsuit. Not to mention that Apple owns Nortel’s essential LTE patents as well. This is a terrible move by Samsung.

    • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

      I was thinking the same. They could be in a corner getting pummeled and this is them fighting a losing battle to get out of the corner (just flailing punches).

    • nizy

      This is most likely correct. It’s certainly true for 3G chipsets and I see no reason why LTE would be any different.

      And maybe even worse for Samsung is that they are already being investigated by the European Commission for antitrust violations relating to their enforcement of 3G standards essential patents against Apple. This same tactic has also drawn the attention of the DOJ and US senators. If Samsung continues on this path, they will find themselves on the wrong end of these guys and as Microsoft found out the hard way, that’s not a good place to be.

    • Relentlessfocus

      Yes, spot on.

  • Leon Speegle

    And Apple counter sues about data detectors and the Siri interface. Another Billion in the bank.

    With enemies like Samsung, who needs friends?

  • Wbadger

    Keyword – standard Also since Apple buys the chipsets, which presumably license the technology patent exhaustion applies. You can’t double dip. Once some one pays the license fee you can’t go after their customers.

    Judge should throw the lawyers who file such a frivolous suit in the can.

    Any further comments on Slimesung belong on Angry Mac Bastards.