Only a couple of hours are left for Apple Inc.'s Let's talk iPhone event where the company is expected to launch its most awaited iPhone 5 and a cheaper version of iPhone 4 (iPhone 4S). But it doesn't appear to be a smooth sail for iPhone 5 in Korea since Samsung is getting ready with all the legal weapons it has got to block iPhone 5 sales in that country.

After the refusal of the Korean company's offer of settling the legal battle in Australia just before a day of the highly-publicized media event, Apple may now face a tough challenge in the corridors of law.

Samsung is planning to launch a counter strike on the basis of patent relating to wireless communications standards it holds in Australia and Korea.

The creator of the Galaxy S, S 2 and Ace last month filed a counter claim in an Australian court, accusing the iPhone and iPad maker of infringing seven of its patents relating to wireless technology.

Apple and Samsung have indulged in as many as 20 cases in nine countries. Apple won a case in Germany which blocked the sale of Samsung Galaxy.

Samsung has already filed counter cases against the Cupertino-based company in South Korea, Japan and Germany.

Going by a statement given to Korea Times by a Samsung executive, the Korean company, which has been on defensive mode in most of the cases, looks stronger this time.

Just after the arrival of the iPhone 5 here (in Korea), Samsung plans to take Apple to court here for its violation of Samsung's wireless technology related patents, the executive told the newspaper last month.

For as long as Apple does not drop mobile telecommunications functions, it would be impossible for it to sell its i-branded products without using our patents. We will stick to a strong stance against Apple during the lingering legal fights.

Though it is not clear whether Apple CEO Tim Cook will release iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S or none of them at the company's California campus on Tuesday, yet one thing is certain for sure - the rivalry between the two tech giants will hit iPhone 5 whenever it is released.

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