Samsung on Apple’s patent suit: lies damn lies

Samsung, the latest company to enter into a legal slap fight with Apple over patent and trademark violations, fired back with a promise of counter-action against its rival’s recent accusations.

The South Korean company denies any legal claim by Apple that its smartphones and tablets too closely resemble Apple products.

Apple recently filed a lawsuit claiming that many Samsung mobile phones as well as its Galaxy Tab, violated various patents and trademarks by copying the look, product design, packaging and user interface of its iPad and iPhone.

“Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property,” the company stated in regards to Apple’s suit.

Many comparisons between Samsung’s mobile device strategy and Apple’s strategy can be made. And this certainly isn’t the first time Samsung has resorted to copying another company’s device.

Clearly, Apple feels it has a strong legal case — but as Samsung’s second largest client, it also has the power of leverage. In 2010 alone, Apple accounted for four percent of Samsung’s annual revenue through sales of semiconductors and display panels (among other things).

While Samsung risks losing Apple as a client, its best defense may be counter action, since losing the legal battle would be far more costly to the company.