James Delahunty
2 Mar 2012 11:51
Mannheim court rejects two patent claims.
The court announced on Friday that it has dismissed two cases brought by Apple and Samsung. The cases are just two of dozens around the world concerning patents related to smartphones and tablet PCs as competitors struggle for market share.
Apple had claimed that Samsung was violating a patent covering "slide to lock" functionality, while Samsung's patent claim against Apple concerned 3G/UMTS-essential patents.
Samsung's reaction was predictable mixed. It applauded the court's decision to scrap the "slide to lock" patent claim made by Apple, but was disappointed that its 3G/UMTS patent case was dismissed also. The South Korean consumer electronics giant has said it will appeal the case to the Higher Regional Court in Karlsruhe.
Apple did not comment on the Mannheim court's decisions.
Apple sued Samsung last April, claiming that it had "slavishly" cloned its iPhone and iPad in the Galaxy line of smartphones and tablet PCs. The lawsuit prompted several more on separate continents involving the who heavyweights.