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Samsung suffers legal setback against Apple

By Kim Yoo-chul Samsung Electronics suffered another legal setback in its patent battle with Apple, after a German court ruled against its claim that the iPhone maker infringed on its smartphone patents. The decision by the regional court in Mannheim Friday (KST) came a week after it shot down claims by the Korean technology giant that Apple infringed on its patents related to third-generation (3G) mobile communications standards. With Samsung continuing to find itself on the wrong end of court decisions in its fight, it remains to be seen whether the company will seek a truce with its U.S. rival in the form of a cross-licensing agreement or other arrangement. However, some industry officials believe that Samsung executives are too proud to throw in the metaphorical towel on the technology sector’s most high-profile intellectual property bout. ``It’s too early to talk about a cross-licensing agreement, but we have to admit that is a scenario that has become likelier than before,’’ said an official who declined to be named. The latest decision addresses one part

Jan 27, 2012By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

Samsung, Apple in legal stalemate

2 tech giants trade court victories in relevance-losing, ego-clashing patent war By Kim Yoo-chul The legal battle between Samsung Electronics and Apple over patent infringements is showing signs of a stalemate. Some non-Samsung affiliated patent experts say it is time for Apple to drop its anti-Android crusade, bringing an end not just to its fight with Samsung but also to other Android-using smartphone makers. It is not immediately clear whether Apple will change its tack and become conciliatory. A source at Samsung confirmed its stance of “no reconciliation” with Apple with its leadership wanting to see its fight through to victory. In the latest development, Apple’s appeal to have Samsung’s Galaxy tablets banned in the Netherlands was rejected. This followed a ruling in Germany that favored Apple. ``It’s reasonable that Apple should fully realize that battles aimed at crushing the `Android alliances’ are not truly helping its operation in anyway,’’ said an expert who is familiar with the Apple-Samsung fight. This view is gaining momentum among some exper

Jan 25, 2012By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

LG wins patent battle against Whirlpool

By Kim Yoo-chul LG Electronics has scored a ``significant victory’’ in its patent battle against the U.S.-based top-tier home appliance maker Whirlpool. The Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) rejected Whirlpool’s claim that it invented the concept of a refrigerator dispenser with an extendable tray and water spigot earlier than LG Electronics, LG said in a statement. The ruling came in the form of an ``interference proceeding.” Since 2008, LG has been involved in a legal battle with Whirlpool over 10 patents in the United States.

Jan 25, 2012By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

Confidence returns to oft-troubled Hynix

Chipmaker will boost investment by 20% this year By Kim Yoo-chul CHEONGJU, North Chungcheong Province ― People might think nobody likes hard work. Yet, employees at one of Hynix Semiconductor’s key factories appear to be different. They are very busy due to rising orders but do not complain. Two things appear to make a difference in the NAND flash memory line of Hynix here. One is that the firm has finally found a stable owner who is ready to invest and the other is that its business prospects are good thanks to strong demand. ``We’ve gained much confidence in the fact we are able to grow under the new ownership and developments in chip-making technology,’’ said a technician on a NAND line in Cheongju. Last November, Korea’s biggest telecom operator SK Telecom agreed to purchase a 21 percent of stake in Hynix to diversify its business and hopes to complete the deal soon. After the merger, SK Telecom has vowed to increase investment in Hynix by up to 20 percent to 4 trillion won this year, from 3.4 trillion won in 2011. Half the amount is expected to be earmarked

Jan 24, 2012By Kim Yoo-chul
Companies

’Half-priced’ televisions pinch Samsung, LG

By Kim Yoo-chul Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have a common problem — half-priced TVs. Retailers are offering more of these televisions after the nation’s biggest retailer E-Mart sold 5,000 32-inch TVs priced at 430,000 won within two days after they were launched in October last year. The limited-offer TVs featured cheaper flat-screens procured from Taiwanese firms, but had lower-quality displays — B-rated and even C-rated from spot markets — officials familiar with the situation said. They offer only basic functions and do not provide USB connections or 3D functionality. Impressed by E-Mart’s feat, HomePlus and on-line shopping malls Auction, GS Shop and 11th Street are offering low-priced TVs for between 449,000 and 499,000 won. Already, 2,000 32-inch sets introduced by 11th Street priced at 449,000 won — a 20 percent discount of the same model offered by Samsung and LG Electronics — were sold out within a day. Now, E-Mart is preparing to release a discounted 40-inch TV. “We had expected the popularity of the half-priced TV

Jan 20, 2012By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

LG aims to overtake Samsung in 3D TV

By Kim Yoo-chul LG Electronics has fired its latest salvo at Samsung Electronics in the ongoing battle for supremacy in 3D TV, saying its rival’s in-house technology is being phased out. Samsung opened an era of 3D TV by aggressively promoting its battery-powered technology. LG was late in the emerging market, but its film-based system has seen a meteoric rise in market share because it is cheaper. Samsung is promoting its Web-connected ``smart TVs,’’ while LG is aiming to further push 3D TV this year, although a lack of content remains the biggest issue. ``LG is in a fight with Samsung over the standardization of global 3D technology. But we are quite confident as more television majors have joined the film-based camp,’’ LG’s TV chief Kwon Hee-won said Thursday. ``Leading Chinese and Taiwanese TV producers are already on our side. Japan’s Panasonic and Toshiba are newcomers for the LG-led 3D technology, which is very impressive,’’ he said while adding that Sony is also considering using it for the top-tier TV maker’s upcoming lineup. Sony Korea spokeswoman Hong Ji

Jan 19, 2012By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

Can Intel Korea head make it to Asia-Pacific chief?

By Kim Yoo-chul Intel Korea Country Manager Lee Hee-sung harbors an ambition to lead the chip giant’s Asia-Pacific operations. If Lee achieves this, it would be the first jump in hierarchy from Korea operations chief to regional leader. Intel is expected to conduct a top-echelon shakeup and, according to some sources, Lee has made a shortlist by Intel CEO Paul Otellini. ``Lee could be promoted to take over, replacing Intel’s current Asia-Pacific chief Navin Shenoy,’’ said one source. Intel’s Asia-Pacific region covers all Asian countries except China and Japan. The post is pivotal considering it handles a growing consumer electronics market. Intel Korea’s Park Min-jin denied Lee is up for a promotion. Industry analysts say as head of Intel’s Korean operations since 2006, Lee has made great deal of contributions in revenue, being helped by Samsung and LG Electronics. ``Intel Korea is expected to surpass Intel Japan in terms of revenue contribution to the headquarters within the next three years,’’ Lee was quoted as saying by Digital Daily, a Korean on-line new

Jan 19, 2012By Kim Yoo-chul
Companies

Samsung denies reports on BlackBerry merger

By Kim Yoo-chul Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it has no plans to buy BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM). ``Samsung can confirm that rumors over the acquisition of the Canadian handset manufacturer are totally groundless,’’ said company spokesman Lee Seung-jun. It has also denied interest in using RIM’s distinctive mobile operating system (OS) through a possible licensing deal. Samsung recently said it has no plans to purchase Hewlett-Packard’s WebOS software. It has already used its own mobile operating system called Bada, while manufacturing smartphones based on Microsoft’s Windows OS. ``We will invest more to shore up our needs rather than through acquisitions,’’ said a Samsung executive. The Korean firm said it will raise money by issuing its first overseas corporate bonds since 1997. The money will be used to expand the output of mobile application processors (APs) at its U.S. factory located in the Texan capital of Austin. Since its introduction in 2009, Bada has gained a 2 percent global share. Samsung believes its software has been

Jan 18, 2012By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

Samsung Electronics demands Apple-Qualcomm deal be revealed

By Kim Yoo-chul Samsung Electronics has recently made a legal request in the United States for Apple to unveil its contract with Qualcomm, according to a copy of court documents acquired by The Korea Times. Samsung confirmed that the request was for Apple and Qualcomm to reveal their deal, said Samsung Electronics spokeswoman Lim Yoon-jeong. It is believed that the court decision can be critical because Samsung has a cross-licensing deal with Qualcomm and Apple is buying chips from the latter. The issue at point is whether Apple’s buying Qualcomm chips is as good as paying for the patents. Samsung plans to submit Apple and Qualcomm’s terms of agreements to eight courts in Germany, Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Australia, France as well as Korea, according to Samsung officials. S.S. Kim, a senior Qualcomm spokesman in Korea, declined to comment. Steve Park, an Apple spokesman in Seoul, reiterated an earlier response that Apple needs to protect its intellectual property against “blatant copying.” The copy of the Samsung request filed wi

Jan 17, 2012By Kim Yoo-chul
  • Exclusive Will Apple be forced to reconcile with Samsung?
Tech & Science

Exclusive Will Apple be forced to reconcile with Samsung?

By Kim Yoo-chul Samsung is set to end an ongoing fight with Apple over litigation woes. But a critical pre-condition before an eventual settlement involves U.S.-based mobile chip giant Qualcomm. ``The resolution of this issue likely will depend, in large part, on whether Apple purchased the chipsets at issue directly from Qualcomm,’’ said a court document filed with the U.S. District Court in California, which was obtained by The Korea Times on Tuesday. ``And whether it integrated them into its consumer devices or alternatively, whether Apple received consumer devices from an intermediary that received the chipset from Qualcomm and integrated them into Apple’s consumer devices,’’ according to the document. Specifically, Samsung is seeking copies of Qualcomm’s supply agreements with respect to the chipsets at issue and correspondence with Apple related to those agreements. The document contradicts an earlier ``hawkish stance’ against Samsung’s mobile chief Shin Jong-kyun. According to Shin: ``Apple did it. Samsung is preparing various measures, legally, technologically

Jan 17, 2012By Kim Yoo-chul
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