The ensuing legal battle between Apple and Samsung now faces a double standard. After the court granted Apple permission for its lawyers to see certain Samsung products, a similar request from Samsung to see Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5 and iPad 3 has been denied.
Apple responded by blocking Samung’s request, citing it was “an 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”.
At face value, Samsung’s request seems warranted since the iPad and iPhone product samples would only be examined by outside legal counsel, just like Samsung’s samples. However, Apple’s claim accuses Samsung of copying current products, not future ones. Therefore Apple believes it does not need to produce unreleased products for Samsung’s lawyers.
There’s sure to be more bumps in the road in this heated legal battle. On Friday, June 17, Samsung is required by the court to produce its samples. At this time the court is expected to reach a decision regarding Samsung’s request to see Apple’s upcoming portfolio. We’ll see where the piece lie come Friday.
via MobileBurn
