
It must be "opposite day" at Apple. In an uncommon series of events unfolding Friday, Apple is backing off of patent claims against tech rival Samsung regarding the Galaxy S III Mini.
To be fair, however, Samsung was the first to blink in this latest skirmish between the two smartphone super-powers. Court documents indicate that Apple is relinquishing its patent claims against Samsung's Galaxy S III Mini smartphone... but the decision comes after the company confirmed it has no intention of importing and selling the device in the U.S.
Samsung began selling the Mini in Europe two months ago. But in its filing on Friday in a U.S. District Court, Apple attested to having been able to purchase the Mini from Amazon.com (in the U.S.) and have it shipped and delivered to the U.S.
Samsung responded by asserting that it is not "making, using, selling, offering to sell or importing the Galaxy S III Mini in the United States." As a result, Apple withdrew its patent claims on the Mini "so long as the current withdrawal will not prejudice Apple's ability later to accuse the Galaxy S III Mini if the factual circumstances change."
Source: Chicago Tribune
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