Samsung Set to Demand Ban of Apple iPhone 5 Sales in Korea

Samsung, the South Korean electronics giant, is planning to take strong legal actions to ban iPhone 5, expected sometime in October, in Korean market, according to a new report.

The next edition of Apple’s iPhone will surely face patents protection lawsuit in South Korea, a Samsung executive told The Korea Times.

“Just after the arrival of the iPhone 5 here, Samsung plans to take Apple to court here for its violation of Samsung’s wireless technology related patents, the executive said.

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. he added.

In June, Samsung requested to see Apple’s upcoming new iPhone 5. However, it was denied by a U.S. judge.

Samsung officials said that iPhone 5 will add near-field communication (NFC) technology to introduce e-wallet functionality. However Apple didn’t show any indication that there will be NFC capability in iPhone 5. But, a rumor is spreading that the functionality will be introduced to either the fifth or sixth generation of the handset.

After Apple forced Samsung to withdraw its Galaxy Tablet from stores in Germany this month, Samsung now is pursuing much more aggressive legal actions against Apple.

It’s said lately that Samsung already filed another counter-claim lawsuit against Apple in Australia, where Apple is planning to ban the Galaxy Tablet.

The lawsuit in Australia claimed that Apple violated seven Australian patents owned by Samsung related to wireless communications standards, with its iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPad 2 products.

Apple and Samsung’s patent war has quickly escalated since Apple filed the first lawsuit in April. There are at least 23 lawsuits between two companies that are pending in a quite a number of countries.12:02