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Apple Sues Samsung for 'Copying' iPhone, iPad Design

 & Chloe Albanesius Executive Editor, News

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Apple has filed suit against Samsung for copying the design of its iPad and iPhone with its smartphones and tablets.

In a suit filed April 15, Apple said "Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple's technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products," according to the Wall Street Journal.

The suit covers Samsung's Galaxy S phones and tablets, the Epic 4G, and the Nexus S.

Apple said Samsung imitated the look and feel of its products with everything from apps to packaging. "This kind of blatant copying is wrong," an Apple spokeswoman told the Journal.

"Samsung's development of core technologies and strengthening our intellectual property portfolio are keys to our continued success," Samsung said in a statement. "Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property."

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Samsung is just the latest phone maker to feel Apple's wrath. In March 2010, Apple sued HTC for 20 instances of patent infringement, all dealing with various elements of the iPhone.

"We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it," Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive, said at the time. "We've decided to do something about it. We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours."

HTC later said that it disagreed with Apple and intends to "fully defend itself."

In October, Apple also filed suit against Motorola, saying that its multi-touch smartphones use Apple-owned intellectual property.

Apple is also battling Amazon and Microsoft over the use of "app store."

About Our Expert

Chloe Albanesius

Chloe Albanesius

Executive Editor, News

My Experience

I started out covering tech policy in DC for The National Journal, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. I later covered Wall Street trading tech before switching gears to consumer tech. I now lead PCMag's news coverage.

My Areas of Expertise

Getting my start in DC means I still have a soft spot for tech policy; Congressional hearings can sometimes be as entertaining as a Bravo reality show, for better or worse. But PCMag is all about the technology we use every day, as well as keeping an eye out for the trends that will shape the industry in the years ahead (or flop on arrival). I've covered the rise of social media, the iOS vs. Android wars, the cord-cutting revolution that's now left us with hefty streaming bills, and the effort to stuff artificial intelligence into every product you could imagine. This job has taken me to CES in Vegas (one too many times), IFA in Berlin, and MWC in Barcelona. I also drove a Tesla 1,000 miles out west as part of our Best Mobile Networks project. Of late, my focus is on our hard-working team of reporters at PCMag, guiding and editing their robust coverage.

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