Samsung hasn’t decided to file an amicus brief in Apple’s support against FBI

Samsung hasn’t said anything yet if they plan to support Apple with its ongoing battle with the FBI. But their recent statement makes it seem like they’re siding with Apple, without mentioning them specifically. In a statement released by Samsung, "Ensuring trust in our products and services is our top priority. Our phones are embedded with encryption that protects privacy and content, and they do not have backdoors. When required to do so, and within the law, we work with law enforcement agencies. However, any requirement to create a backdoor could undermine consumers' trust."

Apple is currently in a legal fight with the FBI over getting access to an encrypted iPhone by one of the suspects from the San Bernardino shooting. FBI wants Apple to unlock said smartphone but Apple believes this could lead to a bigger security issue. Other tech brands have been coming out to support Apple with this issue.

Source: Android Central

Apple and Samsung drop various patent claims against each other

The most popular frenemies in tech, Apple Inc. and Samsung have been ordered by a U.S. district court judge's order to scale down the number patent claims against each other in their monster intellectual-property lawsuit focused on smartphones and tablets.

Paring down the number of patent disputes between the two companies streamlines the trial and what the court has to work with.

Apple noted that, "while the parties have been readying the case for trial Samsung has vaulted into first place in worldwide sales of smartphones, with massive sales of its copycat products." 

Apple, who uses various Samsung components such as displays, memory and processors in its popular mobile and computer products and is one of Samsung's bigglest clients added, "to preserve the July 30 trial date, Apple is willing to narrow the case on its patents for jury trial to four utility patent claims and a small set of design-related claims."

Samsung dropped two patents from the lawsuit, reducing the total number of claims based on those patents. However, it still wants to proceed to trial on 15 claims from seven patents.

"With these reductions, Samsung has narrowed its case from twelve patents to seven, dropping 42% of its affirmative counterclaims. From a total of 75 claims identified by Samsung's experts as infringed by Apple's products, Samsung will drop 60 and only proceed on 15 -- a reduction in total claims of 80%," Samsung's representative said.

Apple took Samsung to court a year ago for violations on various Apple patents and trademarks pertaining to the iPhone and the iPad and even managed to temporarily stop sales of competing Samsung tablets in certain markets.  Samsung has countered with its own series of patent lawsuits.

Hostilities resume in court on July 30th when the trial begins.

Samsung gains advantage in court case against Apple, can now sell Galaxy Tab in Australia

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

After a bitter and public lawsuit, it looks like Samsung managed a victory and might be able to sell its Galaxy Tab device in time for the holiday shopping season in Oz. The Australian court today overturned an earlier ruling that sided with Apple's allegations Samsung had copied its iPad and iPhone.

Click to read more ...

Samsung blocked from selling Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia

Australians wanting to buy Samsung's new Galaxy Tab 10.1" inch will have to wait or buy the Android tablet elsewhere. This is a result of a court injunction won by Apple against Samsung. This means Samsung can't sell the tablet “until [Samsung] wins court approval or the lawsuit is resolved,” according to a report by Bloomberg. 

Click to read more ...