Here’s something totally baffling: in what way does Samsung’s Sidekick 4G violate Apple design patents? Have you ever seen anything close to a Sidekick with an Apple on it? In any case, the plot has thickened between these two phone makers, with Apple now claiming that 12 different Samsung devices infringe upon Apple’s design and trade dress, including the aforementioned Sidekick 4G.
Originally, Apple’s filing only covered five devices, including the Samsung Galaxy S II, the Galaxy Tab 10.1, and the Infuse 4G. With the original devices, we could at least see the reasoning, even though the suit may be a bit of a stretch. There are similarities, yes, but nothing to the point where I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between an iPhone 4 and the Infuse 4G. With these new devices, however, we are pretty much stumped.
Apple’s updated filing includes the Droid Charge, Exhibit 4G, Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Prevail, Galaxy S, Gravity Smart, Infuse 4G, Nexus S 4G, Replenish, Sidekick 4G, Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy S II. To start, the Sidekick 4G, Replenish, and Gravity Smart all sport physical QWERTY keyboards, which is something we have never, nor do I expect we will ever, see on an Apple product. Furthermore, a large part of Apple’s issue has to do with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, which isn’t even on the Replenish.
Along with tossing some extra devices into the mix, Apple has also decided to add a few extra patents to the case, accusing Samsung of even further infringement. With the addition of the three new patents, Apple is officially filing a complaint against Samsung for infringement on a total of eight utility patents. Two new design patents have also been added, bringing the total to five.
Samsung still has an upcoming due date for those original devices to be handed over to Apple, including the Droid Charge, Galaxy S II, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 10.1, and the Infuse 4G. We’re also still waiting for a judge to decide whether or not Apple will have to do the same with its future devices, but that situation is a bit different, since Samsung asked for the iPad 3 and the iPhone 5 instead of products already on the market.
[via MobileBurn]