Apple Sets Target to Ban Samsung Devices in Japan

Apple is now seeking to ban sales of Samsung-based devices in Japan and has accused the Korea-based company of violating patents that are related to Apple’s iPhone and iPad.

Samsung has been in a patent war with Apple over smartphone and tablet patents since April. Samsung’s Galaxy range of tablets is one of Apple’s biggest competitors in the market.

The Cupertino-based company has filed a suit with the Tokyo District Court and is seeking the suspension of sales of Galaxy S and the S II smartphones and the Galaxy Tab 7 in Japan, according to a Reuters report.

Apple, in the long-drawn property intellectual battle, has accused Samsung for mindlessly copying the iPhone and iPad and has previously sued the company in Korea, U.S., Australia and Europe.

Samsung was the first to file a suit against Apple in Japan in April. Samsung, however, was later countersued by Apple in August as per Samsung. Apple is now seeking around 100 million Yen ($1.3 million) in damages and a sales ban on Samsung devices, Reuters reported.

We have heard from Samsung that it's all right, NTT Docomo President Ryuji Yamada told reporters at the launch of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 on its high-speed LTE network, when asked about the patent battles. At this point we don't think it will harm our sales.

Currently a German court banned sales of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 7.7. Samsung, itself, declared that the company would delay the launch of its latest Galaxy tablet computers in Australia until after a court ruling in late September.

Previously, according to research firm Strategy Analytics, Samsung's Galaxy S outclassed Apple's iPhone in Japan in January-March.

The first hearing was held on Wednesday, according to a Reuters report.