The ongoing legal battle between Samsung and Apple intensifies as Samsung are now claiming that the iPhone 4S violate their patents. Samsung are seeking to block the sale of the product in France and Italy.

Samsung have so far, been rather passive with Apple, having had their Galaxy Tab 10.1 blocked from sale in Australia and other parts of the world. Samsung are claiming that the iPhone 4S is breaching patent guidelines for use of wireless telecommunications technology – or more specifically for their wide ban code division multiple access standards for mobile handsets (WCDMA).

Samsung's injunction requests may expand to other countries after they review the matter further, according to the company.

Samsung issued a statement “The infringed technology is essential to the reliable functioning of telecom networks and devices, Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free-ride on our technology, and we will steadfastly protect our intellectual property.”

Apple have not yet commented on the matter, however they are currently dealing with the death of their co-founder Steve Jobs, aged only 56.

We doubt this is the last we will hear of the legal battle between both companies, who have been at loggerheads all year after Apple initiated legal proceedings against Samsung in April. Apple claim that Samsung's smartphones and tablets ‘slavishy copy' designs of their own iPad and iPhone devices.

Kitguru says: An interesting twist in the story. We wonder where it will go next.

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