Samsung targets iOS devices in France as Apple puts brakes on Motorola until Google merger is completed

This is a Samsung-branded Windows 8 tablet Microsoft is giving away to BUILD attendees today. 

The latest in the ongoing patent saga involving Apple, Google, Motorola and Samsung includes an unexpected twist as Samsung goes after iPhone and iPad with a complaint filed before a Paris district court in July. The filing alleges infringement of Samsung’s three technology patents, reports AFP. The first hearing is expected in December of this year.

Meanwhile, patent expert Florian Müller notes on his blog FOSSPatents that Apple has filed motions to temporarily halt two Motorola lawsuits until Google completes its $12.5 billion acquisition, which shook the technology world last month. Put simply, Apple argues Motorola waived its rights to sue when it transferred patents to Google. Apple wrote:

To further its pending acquisition by Google, Motorola has surrendered critical rights in the patents-in-suit, such that Motorola no longer has prudential standing to pursue this action. According to the publicly-filed Merger Agreement, Motorola has ceded control of the most basic rights regarding the patents-in-suit

As you know, Google has transferred some of the Motorola patents to HTC, in addition to the ones acquired from Palm and Openwave Systems. HTC then used those patents to counter-sue Apple. Back to Apple vs. Samsung…

Financial Times today opined that Samsung needs to hit the reset button, predicting a licensing agreement of sorts provided Apple succeeds in blocking Galaxy products in the U.S. next month. Contrary to the reports, the publication thinks “Apple is restricted from taking its chip business to Samsung’s rivals in Taiwan because Samsung offers a complete package of components that other firms cannot match”. However, there are indications that Apple’s been lowering Samsung orders for some time and it’s widely believed the company is eager to take its silicon business to TSMC beginning next year.

A Dusseldorf, Germany court last week ruled that Samsung must cease sales of its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the country for copying the iPad, the decision Samsung intends to appeal. The move followed a similar ruling in The Hague court which on August 24 banned three Samsung phones, a major setback considering the Netherlands is Samsung’s key import market for the European Union. In all, Apple and Samsung are embroiled in patent cases in twelve courts across nine countries. Apple also scored a small victory earlier this month by blocking Samsung from showing off its new Galaxy Tab 7.7 device at IFA in Germany. We wouldn’t be surprised if Apple attempted to pull Samsung-made Windows 8 tablet hours ahead of Microsoft’s BUILD event, which is due today at 9am PT in Anaheim, California (live stream will be made available here).

Cross-posted on 9to5Google.com

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