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Three iPhones and four iPads face ban in Korea but Samsung could save the day

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By Joshua Swingle

Published: Sep 11, 2018, 8:21 AM

Three iPhones and four iPads face ban in Korea but Samsung could save the day

Apple iPhone 8 Plus

As part of an ongoing patent dispute between the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Apple, the latter company is facing an import ban on a number of its products including the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, the iPhone X, and four iPad models. Rather ironically, though, it could be Samsung that saves the day.

The original dispute between the KAIST and Apple originated when the former accused the iPhone giant of infringing upon its FinFET-related patent. Now, because Apple’s chips do use this technology, the logical outcome would be in favor of the KAIST. But the actual dispute doesn’t lie there. Instead, Apple is claiming that the patent the KAIST currently holds is invalid, something Samsung agrees with.

On the other side of the Pacific, Apple’s South Korean rival is involved in litigation against the KAIST and it too is claiming that the latter’s patent is invalid. Interestingly, though, it appears the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy is paying close attention to what happens over in the US. After all, Samsung has reportedly submitted strong evidence that backs up its position.

At this moment in time, the final Apple v. the KAIST conclusion is looking like it will favor the latter after two extensions of the investigation period. If this does indeed happen, the Silicon Valley-based giant will face a ban on the devices mentioned above and may need to pay the KAIST in order to continue selling its devices over in Samsung’s homeland. However, if rival Samsung wins its case over in the US, Apple may avoid all of this.

source: Business Korea