Apple warns retailers to stop selling banned Samsung devices
Apple penned letters to retailers and networks warning them to stop selling banned Samsung products.
You know those Samsung products Apple succeeded in having banned in the US? Well it seems Apple was more aggressive than previously thought, writing to retailers and carriers warning them about selling said devices -- and the most suspect thing about this? In one case it was before the ban was stayed, CNET reports.
No wonder Samsung has called the letters 'menacing'.
The letters were exposed in yet another filing between the two companies in California. The one referring to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is pretty stern. Helpfully, Apple italicised the part it thinks applies to the letter's recipient, saying they're acting "in concert" with Samsung to sell the device. "Apple thus believes that the order extends to you because you may be selling, offering to sell, or importing the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer," the letter reads.
"Please comply with the order by ceasing immediately to engage in any of the specified acts (e.g., importing, offering to sell, or selling within the United States) in connection with the Galaxy Tab 10.1," it goes on. In other words, stop it.
The letter concerning the Galaxy Nexus was sent out three days before the US ban was stayed, according to FOSS Patents. Which is pretty proactive, to put it politely.
Apple succeeded in having the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Nexus banned from sale in the US due to patent infringement. It was just another episode in a long-running court battle between the two tech companies, with legal wrangles spanning continents. Samsung had the iPad and iPhonebanned in Germany, but it didn't last.
These letters are worrying, and show just how aggressive Apple is in pursuing the ban. The two companies sat down to talk through their disputes, but that didn't seem to do much good. I really think Apple should just cool it and focus on its own product line-up. Trying to ban others' products makes it look petty and doesn't help us consumers one bit.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments, or on Facebook.