Apple fights to keep Samsung Galaxy S III off U.S. shelves

The much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S III phone will soon be available from five carriers in the U.S. But if Apple has its way, that could abruptly change.

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Apple has filed a motion in a California court that claims the Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone violates two of its patents and that it wants the device blocked from sale in the United States. The action was first spotted by analyst Florian Mueller at FOSS Patents.

Specifically, Apple has asked for the court to add the S III as another device targeted by Apple’s preliminary injunction against Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus smartphone. Apple claims Samsung is violating U.S. Patent No. 8,086,604 and No. 5,946,647. The former cover “unified search,” while the latter covers “links for structures.”

Samsung has responded to Apple’s request by saying it would fight tooth-and-nail to make sure Apple does not succeed. The South Korean electronics giant will go forward with the Galaxy S III’s June 21 launch date.

“Samsung believes Apple’s request is without merit. We will vigorously oppose the request and demonstrate to the court that the Galaxy S III is innovative and distinctive,” a Samsung spokesperson said in a circulated statement to press. “We would also like to assure consumers that the U.S. launch and sales of the Galaxy S III will proceed as planned.”

Galaxy S III photo: Sean Ludwig/VentureBeat

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