Samsung Withdraws Apple Ban Request in Europe
Request for injunctions on Apple products in Germany, the U.K., France, Italy and the Netherlands dropped.
Following a U.S. judge's decision to not approve Apple's request of banning 26 Samsung mobile devices in the U.S. and denying a new trial over the former's $1 billion court case win, the technology giant has withdrawn its request to ban Apple products within several European regions to "protect consumer choice."
The South Korean technology conglomerate will drop its requests in Germany, the U.K., France, Italy and the Netherlands. Foss Patents legal consultant Florian Mueller noted that Samsung never mentioned lawsuit in its statement regarding the announcement -- it's still suing for compensation.
Samsung had alleged that its rival violated the use of its patents relates to wireless technology. Apple, however, stated that the former didn't license the patents out fairly. The former added that it was better to compete in the marketplace than in the courtroom.
"Samsung remains committed to licensing our technologies on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, and we strongly believe it is better when companies compete fairly in the marketplace, rather than in court. In this spirit, Samsung has decided to withdraw our injunction requests against Apple on the basis of our standard essential patents pending in European courts, in the interest of protecting consumer choice."

You know.. Crazy people think they are sane and every one else is crazy... so take a look in the mirror before pointing your Apple sauce fingers at anyone who disagrees with you... In the end, Apple makes it so easy for any other company to take the higher road...
Does everyone forget the EU has a formal antitrust investigation going on against Samsung that specifically relates to Samsung seeking injunctions using FRAND patents? And suddenly Samsung drops all injunctions over those same FRAND patents. And people think it's because Samsung is being "nice"?
This is nothing more than Samsung backing off as they were about to get the smackdown from the EU similar to how MS had in the past.
That's exactly what I was thinking. They're just trying to avoid cases they'll obviously lose. Granted, I'm sure the US court decision did play a role in their decision to drop the request in Europe... but most likely they're just avoiding cases they'll likely lose and save themselves money in the process.
Plus Samsung still is suing Apple in Europe... that didn't disappear. They just dropped the request to have the devices banned. Lawsuit is still active. The Apple v. Samsung saga continues!
You know.. Crazy people think they are sane and every one else is crazy... so take a look in the mirror before pointing your Apple sauce fingers at anyone who disagrees with you... In the end, Apple makes it so easy for any other company to take the higher road...
otacon72 12/19/2012 5:11 AM
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ericburnby :
Seriously? Goog guy Samsung?Does everyone forget the EU has a formal antitrust investigation going on against Samsung that specifically relates to Samsung seeking injunctions using FRAND patents? And suddenly Samsung drops all injunctions over those same FRAND patents. And people think it's because Samsung is being "nice"?This is nothing more than Samsung backing off as they were about to get the smackdown from the EU similar to how MS had in the past.
Hit the fanboys with facts and you get thumbed down. Typical.. They were going to lose just like they did for their bid for a new trial. Since Samsung wasn't smart like HTC to enter into a licensing agreement Apple is going to keep taking them to cleaners a billion at a time.
1) Why would ANY company sign any agreements with Apple? Most apple patents are stolen from prior art or other companies. You do not negotiate with thieves.
2) The billion will not stand because most patents apple won with in the court case were in validated.
3) You and eric are the two dumbest most hateful tech posters I have seen on any tech site. You sound like ill-informed apple h.i.c.k.s!
Sorry, but NO !!!
Apple guys have proved they are bad players over and over, but Samsung is by no mean a better company. Samsung is very good at keeping prices artificially high (the CRT Cartel is just one thing, but there are probably more) and many of their products lineups are imitations of (often obsolete) competitor products (their color printers are the perfect example).
Apple may be the devil's work, but the sun doesn't shine out of Samsung's ass either. Try not to censor people just because their input is at odds with your worldview. It's that kind of blatant disregard for common sense and reason which leads to this patent-war crap in the first place.
I agree with aznguy0028 though - this will only help bolster Samsung's already positive public image (as evidenced by those who will rampantly defend them). I do wish they could've avoided the antitrust bigwigs long enough to screw Apple a little more with their patents, though. I get that people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones but it just doesn't feel like Samsung has had its revenge yet.
Samsung is good at keeping prices artificially high? Look at every single Apple product and say that again.
You don't understand how bad Korean firms are when it comes to patent infringement, industrial sabotage etc. I don't like Apple, but I would rather see Samsung get busted.
Don't buy either of them.
I can say it again and again... There are many other companies than Samsung or Apple who provide hardware at very good prices ... but probably more because they feel like they have to lower their price if they want to sell units and gain some market share rather than to please us.
Please stop seeing this as an Apple vs Samsung war and understand that Samsung is not here to save us from the evil Apple. Like every company, Samsung has to make money. The bad thing with them is that they are notorious for their borderline business practices and not offering lots of value for the money. As a consumer, I avoid Samsung as much as I avoid Apple products.