Apple adds iPad killer Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in amended infringement lawsuit

Apple has intensified its legal attack on archrival Samsung by including the newly launched iPad 2 rival Galaxy Tab 10.1 in its amended patent infringement lawsuit.

The court battle between the two IT giants started in April with Apple filing a 38-page documented lawsuit against Samsung, who also happens to be one of the largest suppliers for Apple product parts. The original complaint accused Samsung’s products, notably the smart phones and tablets, as rip offs of Apple’s iPhone and iPads.

“Instead of pursuing independent product development, Samsung has chosen to slavishly copy Apple's innovative technology, distinctive user interfaces, and elegant and distinctive product and packaging design, in violation of Apple’s valuable intellectual property rights,” according to the complaint.

Later that month, the Korea-based company countersued Apple in four countries – South Korea, Japan, Germany, and the U.S. – and also requested Apple to send iPhone 5 and iPad 3 (whose release dates are yet to be announced) to “evaluate whether a likelihood of confusion exists”.

Apple described Samsung’s move as harassment and said it has nothing to do with Apple’s complaint:

“Samsung's Motion to Compel is an improper attempt to harass Apple by demanding production of extremely sensitive trade secrets that have no relevance to Apple's likelihood of success on its infringement claims or to a preliminary injunction motion.”

On Thursday, Apple amended its complaint, adding more details. In its 63-page complaint, Apple has asserted several new patents, both in utility and design.

In addition, Apple named 12 Samsung products in the list of accused products on top of 15 listed in the first complaint.

A noticeable product in the new list is the iPad 2’s new rival Galaxy Tab 10.1 that was just made available in retail stores in the U.S.

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the latest attempt by Android-based tablets to threat Apple’s iPad 2. Galaxy Tab 10.1 is equipped with honeycomb version 3.1, Tegra 2 dual core 1 Ghz processor, 10.1-inch screen, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, 1080p HD video playback, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, USB 2.0, 6860 mAh batteries, and other beefy features.

Not surprisingly, Apple iPad 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is already a heated debate, and Android fans are favoring Galaxy Tab 10.1 over iPad 2.

Is Apple scared to lose its grip on tablet competition against the new upcoming IT-rival Samsung?
Or is Samsung really a copycat as Apple alleges to be?

Apple recently had to pay Nokia with a onetime-fee plus royalties in a recent settlement over intellectual property dispute. And Apple would surely want a more favorable outcome with Samsung’s case.