More Samsung products are trampling on Apple's ideas, the iPhone maker said in broadening its patent suit. Apple has already accused Samsung of stealing ideas from the iPad and iPhone for Samsung's Galaxy S smartphone and Galaxy Tab tablet. Now that Apple has settled a dispute with Nokia, the two could go after Google's Android.
With more than $70 billion in cash, Apple could buy out struggling Research In Motion, Nokia, Motorola and HTC. But for now the iPhone maker is setting its sights on putting the kibosh on Samsung's mobile phone designs.
Apple on Thursday rectified the complaint it filed against Samsung in April. Apple still maintains that the mobile-device maker is using too many Apple ideas in its products. But Apple has found something more to beef about.
More Devices, More Violation.
Now Apple is adding more infringement to the list, focusing on Samsung's Nexus 4G, Sidekick, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Droid Charge, and eight other devices. In all, Apple said 15 of Samsung's devices "slavishly" copy the iPhone and iPad. Apple added three new violated patents to the suit, including a touchscreen-related patent, a UI-related patent, and a multi-touch hardware patent.
Apple is also accusing Samsung of unfair competition. The iPad maker seeks injunctions as well as actual and punitive damages against its one-time ally. Apple also wants the court to rule that the alleged violation was willful. Samsung hasn't responded to the latest accusations, but previously said it would "respond actively to this legal action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property."
Earlier this week, Apple settled a patent dispute with Nokia. Apple signed a license agreement with Nokia to settle all litigation between the companies. Apple will make an unrevealed one-time payment to Nokia and pay ongoing royalties.
Will Apple, Nokia Team Up?
"Apple is under the belief that pretty much the entire Android ecosystem was stolen from them. The belief is founded in the fact that much of the iPhone development occurred while (former Google CEO) Eric Schmidt was on Apple's board and Steve Jobs was mentoring the Google founders," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. "Google has no deep IP portfolio. So it certainly looks like they copied somebody, and Apple is pretty convinced it was them."
In terms of Apple's willingness to settle with Nokia, Enderle warned not to look at the deal in terms of the Android patent wars. Nokia has a deep patent portfolio, for one, and Microsoft is already in a cross-licensing deal with the company. Neither Apple nor Nokia believe the other cheated to find success in the technology market, Enderle said.
"Both companies seem to agree that if anyone cheated, it was Google. Nokia and Apple are of one common mind, and that is that Google is stealing from both of them," Enderle said. "So I think you are going to see some coordinated efforts from Nokia and Apple going forward."
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