Follow Us - Twitter | Like Us - Facebook | Follow Us - Digg | Newiphone5.netTABLET AND SMARTPHONE MAKER Samsung has escalated its patent dispute with Apple by asking a court to force Apple to hand over the Ipad 3 and Iphone 5. The request follows a previous court order by US District Court Judge Lucy Koh in early May that required Samsung to give Apple a number of its upcoming Galaxy smartphone and tablet models, in addition to other potentially infringing products. Samsung argues that this puts the company at a "significant disadvantage" by allowing Apple access to its new products without returning the favour. Samsung claims that it should have the next-generation Iphone and Ipad so that it can "prepare its defence", according to Reuters. The dispute began when Apple sued Samsung in mid-April, claiming it "slavishly" copied its design and packaging. A week later Samsung countersued, claiming that Apple's products infringe its patents. This latest move is another tit-for-tat action in the heated litigation. Samsung used to be one of Apple's allies, supplying it with £3.7 billion worth of chips and parts in 2010. However, tensions grew between the companies as Samsung's products, which run Google's Android operating system, became the primary competition to Apple. The Galaxy Tab is the biggest threat to the Ipad, while the Samsung Galaxy S handset was used as the base for the Nexus S, Google's second own-branded Android smartphone. This strong relationship with Google is likely a factor in Samsung's souring relationship with Apple, particularly given the remarkable growth of Android devices over the past year and the impact that has had on Apple's sales. Apple is typically tight-lipped about its upcoming products, so much so that it has a history of going after people who leaked its designs. Foxconn, which assembles Apple products, interrogated people over the leak of an Iphone, while a Gizmodo editor's house was raided after he published information about an Iphone 4 prototype. This secrecy might help Apple keep an advantage in the market that Samsung can use as a defence against Apple's claims, but the same argument could apply to Samsung's products and is unlikely to wash with the court.
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