Samsung this week countersued Apple for infringing on five patents relating to wireless networking technology.
In total, Samsung filed suits in three separate courts: in the Seoul Central District Court in Korea citing five patent infringements; in a Tokyo, Japan court citing two patent infringements; and in Manheim, Germany citing three patent infringements.
"Samsung is responding actively to the legal action taken against us in order to protect our intellectual property and to ensure our continued innovation and growth in the mobile communications business," a spokeswoman said via email.
Infringements cited in the filings include: HSPA telecommunications technology for transmission optimization and reduction of power usage during data transmission; WCDMA telecommunications technology for reducing date transmission errors; and technology for tethering a mobile phone to a PC to enable the PC to utilize the phone's wireless data connection, Samsung said.
The lawsuits come several days after Apple sued Samsung for copying the look and feel of its iPhone and iPad with its Galaxy S line of smartphones and tablets, among other devices.
"Instead of pursuing independent product development, Samsung has chosen to slavishly copy Apple's innovative technology, distinctive user interfaces, and elegant and distinctive product and packaging design, in violation of Apple's intellectual property rights," according to Apple's suit, which was filed in a California district court.
Specifically, Apple said Samsung infringes upon its patents via the Samsung Captivate, Continuum, Vibrant, Galaxy S 4G, Epic 4G, Indulge, Mesmerize, Showcase, Fascinate, Nexus S, Gem, Transform, Intercept, and Acclaim smartphones, as well as the Galaxy Tab tablet.
"Samsung chose to copy Apple's technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products," Apple said. "The copying is so pervasive that the Samsung Galaxy products appear to be actual Apple products."
Samsung, not surprisingly, disagreed. "Samsung's development of core technologies and strengthening our intellectual property portfolio are keys to our continued success," the company said in a statement earlier this week.
For more, see PCMag mobile analyst Sascha Segan's take on this topic in Apple's Sloppy, Fearful Samsung Lawsuit.