Samsung reports Apple to ITC in US, looks to block import of iOS devices

Though still hardware component partners, there's been little love lost between Apple and Samsung of late.

That's in no small part down to Apple's decision to sue its Korean partner for allegedly mirroring the design of its iOS devices in scores of Samsung products.

Samsung's initial response was to demand to see forthcoming Apple products so it could avoid copying them in its own upcoming devices a request the judge has denied for the time being.

However, eager to take a stance against its rival, Samsung has now filed a complaint against Apple to the US International Trade Commission (ITC), essentially requesting an import ban on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Partner problems

The ITC has not yet agreed to investigate the case, but if such an examination is forthcoming, the body could take between 16 and 18 months to reach a decision.

"I have recently seen various reports according to which Apple has already decided to dump Samsung as a component supplier, at least with respect to chipsets," adds IP activist Florian Mueller, who discovered the filing, on his blog.

"We're looking at two fundamentally different value propositions. Manufacturing electronics components for third parties is a low-margin business compared to the opportunity of being a major consumer brand for mobile devices."

Mueller argues that Samsung is willing to risk alienating Apple, because there's more money to be made in driving its own products forward than serving up components for the American giant's devices.

"That's why Samsung would rather defend its Galaxy and other nameplate products than back down only to retain Apple as a customer for its manufacturing operations. And Apple would rather find other suppliers than be limited in its enforcement of intellectual property rights by supply chain considerations."

[source: Foss Patents]