Samsung's Battle with Apple in Japan

One Battle After Another (Right: Samsung, Left: Apple)

Let's keep this short and sweet.  After all, it is Monday!  There are numerous "battles" going on in the ecosystems these days.  As a continuation of the patent battle between Samsung and Apple, Samsung tried to get the iPhone blocked from selling to the Japanese market.  But, a Tokyo court ruled against Samsung's attempt to get the iPhone blocked from being sold in Japan.  The iPhone holds 26.6% market share and is the best selling smartphone in Japan.


Samsung accused Apple of infringing on their patents - two patents in particular.  On September 14, Samsung claimed that iPhone's technology that is utilized for downloading apps is the same or too similar to Samsung's technology.  On October 11, they claimed that iPhone's "airplane mode" setting infringes on Samsung's technology as well.  But, the Tokyo court threw out the allegations and ruled that the Apple was still able to sell to the Japanese market.

What does this mean for Apple?  Well, it gets to keep it's market share and maybe even gain more by preventing Samsung from being an Apple copycat.  For Samsung?  Well, Samsung is going to have a bit harder time entering and competing with Apple in Japan... as well as everywhere else.  If Samsung could have prevented Apple from reaching the Japanese market, they may have been an effective and sufficient replacement product for the Apple iPhone.

It's also worth noting that Samsung and Apple have a competitive relationship, but they also have a unique business relationship.  Samsung is the primary supplier of Apple's iPad screens.  All these lawsuits and arguments for the sake of competition could interfere with their business relationship.  What do you think?

Let us know.  Happy Monday!