Samsung goes after Apple’s iPhone 5

Shin Jong-kyun Samsung Electronics’ mobile chief

Shin Jong-kyun confirms plans to countersue rival

Samsung Electronics’ mobile chief Shin Jong-kyun said Wednesday that there will be “no agreement” with Apple, a likely indication that the technology giant will sue its rival over long-term evolution (LTE) patents used in the iPhone 5. (See front page, Sept. 11 edition)

“We negotiated (with Apple) following the San Jose court’s instructions for the top executives to meet numerous times but it was no use,” Shin told reporters at the firm’s headquarters in Gangnam. “An agreement seems to be out of the question.”

Tim Cook Apple CEO

When asked by reporters of the likelihood that the iPhone 5 will be violating one or more of Samsung’s patents if it features fourth generation LTE, he nodded in consent, but added: “We are cautious of LTE patents. Considering the relationship between the finished-goods market and component industry, it is hard to do as we please.”

The Monday edition of The Korea Times was the first to report that Samsung would sue Apple over its LTE patents.

He added “We are not worrying much about the iPhone 5. We are focusing on making our products well.”

Shin predicted that sales of the Galaxy S3 will top 30 million within this year, while it will eventually sell over 60 million in total.

On the upcoming Galaxy Note 2, he said that “it will be released in October as planned. I think we will sell twice as many as the Galaxy Note.”

Samsung lost a major case against Apple in a patent trial at a San Jose court Aug. 24 and was ordered to pay $1.05 billion in damages. <The Korea Times/Cho Mu-hyun>

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