Samsung wants to look at the iPhone 4S’ firmware source code

In the latest development surrounding the Samsung vs Apple case in Australia, Samsung has asked the Australian courts to grant it access to Apple’s iPhone 4S’ firmware and information regarding its carrier agreements. The South Korean company is claiming that in order for them to build a solid case and seek the ban of the iPhone 4S in Australia, they will need access to the firmware’s source code and carrier agreements.

With Apple successfully winning injunctions against Samsung and their Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android tablet in Australia, Germany and the Netherlands, Samsung has retaliated by saying that they will try their level best to get the iPhone 4S banned as well when it launched. We’re not sure why Samsung wants to take a peek at Apple’s source code, but as far as carrier agreements go, this is Samsung’s reasoning according to their legal counsel:

“It goes to show that since the iPhone 3G was made available in Australia in July 2008, the impact on the market for every iPhone product has been significant, and has lead to a substantial increase … in market share by revenue,” Cochrane said in court today.

“If subsidies are given for the iPhone 4S, there are less to go around for my client’s products.”

We’re not sure how this is going to turn out, and we’re guessing that the carriers are probably not going to be too pleased either at Samsung taking a look at their agreements with Apple. For now this is Samsung’s move and come 4th of November, which is when the case is scheduled to continue, hopefully we will find out if the judge decides to grant Samsung’s request.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Cellphones
Tags: australia, iPhone 4S, Legal, patent infringement