EU preps antitrust complaint vs. Samsung over Apple suits
updated 11:13 am EST, Thu December 20, 2012
Injunction withdrawals may have been attempt at appeasement
The European Union is about to announce an antitrust complaint against Samsung for the way it has been using standards-essential patents in its lawsuits against Apple, Bloomberg reports. "We will adopt the statement of objections very soon," said EU antitrust chief Joaquin Almunia at a press conference in Brussels earlier today. A formal complaint could reach Samsung by the end of the month.
Almunia noted that while the EU is "happy" that Samsung has withdrawn several European attempts at injunctions against Apple, the European Commission is continuing to investigate concerns that threats of injunctions harm competition. Both Apple and Samsung have filed for numerous injunctions against each other in their legal disputes, sometimes succeeding in blocking sales of products in one or more markets.
"Samsung is fully cooperating with the European Commission proceedings," an official response from Samsung reads. Beyond the effect of injunctions, the main worry of the EU is that Samsung may be breaking agreements to license standards-essential patents with FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory) terms.
