iLounge

Samsung has announced plans to file patent-infringement suits against Apple in France and Italy in hopes of blocking sales of the iPhone 4S. In its brief announcement, the company states that each preliminary injunction request will cite two patent infringements related to wireless communications technology, in particular Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) standards for 3G mobile handsets. Samsung states that Apple’s infringement is “too severe” and the iPhone 4S should be barred from sales. “Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free ride on our technology,” Samsung said on its official global blog. “We believe it is now necessary to take legal action to protect our innovation.”

Notably, Samsung also asserts that the infringed technology is essential to the reliable functioning of telecom networks and devices—and may therefore be covered under FRAND licensing obligations, which would require Samsung to license the patents to Apple on “fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory terms.” The company says that it plans to file preliminary injunctions in other countries “after further review.” [via Engadget]