AfterDawn: Tech news

Is Apple's suit against Samsung in Japan really about the new iPhone?

Written by Rich Fiscus @ 08 Sep 2011 2:05 User comments (5)

Is Apple's suit against Samsung in Japan really about the new iPhone? Add Japan to the list of countries where Apple is suing Samsung to get competing products taken off the market.
It is the latest development in Apple's campaign of patent and trademark related litigation which began in April. Apple has gone after Samsung in the US, Australia, throughout the EU & South Korea.

As in other countries, Apple wants to ban the import of Samsung's Galaxy smartphones and tablets.

Perhaps not by coincidence, the lawsuit, which was filed last month, comes shortly before the much anticipated of the next iPhone. Depending on which reports and rumors you believe, that will occur either this month or in October.



Even if Apple eventually loses the lawsuit, a temporary injunction would improve Apple's position in Japan at the best possible time.

Despite being generally quite successful in Japan, Apple has not been able to work out any kind of deal with NTT DoCoMo, the country's largest mobile carrier, to sell the iPhone or iPad. Samsung, on the other hand, has such a deal to sell their Galaxy phones and tablets.

Although the temporary loss of Samsung products probably wouldn't force a deal with DoCoMo, eliminating Samsung competition at launch time might still improve iPhone sales immediately after the launch date. That's when the iPhone usually has the most buzz anyway.

While it probably helps their market share in the short term, the publicity over Apple's competition by litigation strategy might have just the opposite effect in the long term. Samsung, in particular, has gotten something of a reputation as the company Apple is scared to compete with in the open market.

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5 user comments

18.9.2011 20:08

I can't see japan telling one of their major corporations to pull out. I think Apple is dreaming.

28.9.2011 23:09

I really hope that apple is made to bleed for all their fake lawsuits.

39.9.2011 00:20

Originally posted by Mysttic:
I can't see japan telling one of their major corporations to pull out. I think Apple is dreaming.
Samsung is a Korean company. However, it's likely the fact iPhone is an American product while Android phones can be manufactured by Japanese companies will play a role in this.

49.9.2011 04:48

Quote:
Samsung, in particular, has gotten something of a reputation as the company Apple is scared to compete with in the open market.

apple knows that by handing out lawsuits to stop samsung selling phones and tablets. they can tie down those customers that would have gotten a samsung...to thier crap for 2 year and at a more expensive price.

apple don't want to complete against a company that is cheaper then them (and better)

59.9.2011 08:30

Quote:
Samsung is a Korean company. However, it's likely the fact iPhone is an American product while Android phones can be manufactured by Japanese companies will play a role in this.
True I stand corrected, thank you.

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