Apple “trying to keep us in check” says Samsung Chairman

As Apple’s latest lawsuit against Samsung continues to dominate technology press headlines, Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee has spoken of the patent fight, suggesting that Apple is trying to keep the Korean electronics giant “in check” by filing its complaint.

Mr Lee, South Korea’s wealthiest man, spoke with Korean press in response to Apple’s legal filing suggesting Samsung’s mobile devices mimicked the design of the iPhone and iPad, and said:

“It’s like the proverbial nail that sticks out gets hammered down. Not only Apple, but also unrelated companies that do not produce electronics products are increasingly trying to keep Samsung in check.”

Apple, which is currently engaged in a legal battle with HTC, Motorola and Nokia over design patents, believes that Samsung products look very similar to its own products, suggesting that the electronics giant has copied the “shape of the hardware to the user interface” of Apple devices, remarking that the packaging was also very similar.

Apple’s spokesman wasn’t backwards in coming forwards, stating:

“This kind of blatant copying is wrong, and we need to protect Apple’s intellectual property when companies steal our ideas.”

Within hours, Samsung issued a response to complaints, saying it would fight the Cupertino-based company, possibly filing a counterclaim itself:

“We think Apple has violated our patents in communications standards. We are considering a counterclaim.”

Samsung’s spokesman declined to comment on which products allegedly violated Samsung’s wireless technology patents but said the company would proceed with a lawsuit after a “careful review”.