Little Giant
Apple, which has been involved in patent infringement lawsuits with Samsung Electronics worldwide, was reported to Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office this time for infringing a patent owned by a local venture firm.
According to sources in legal circles on Sept. 29, InfoZone, a local text message service provider, recently filed a complaint against Apple Korea to Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office for violating Korean patent law.
The head of the local company argued that Apple's iMessage infringed on the firm's patent related to a method that operates a communications system, which was granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office. iMessage is a mobile messenger service installed on the iPhone and iPad that enables users to exchange text messages for free.
In June 2011, Apple featured iMessage in iOS 5. A data network is used to exchange messages between iPhone users, while a communications network is utilized when different operating systems (OSs) are used. iPhone users can also check to see whether or not the other side already read the sent message.
The local firm insists that the allegedly infringed patent is related to a technique that uses different paths to send text messages, depending on what kinds of device and OS are used by the other party.
InfoZone said, “Our company warned Apple Korea about patent infringement by sending a contents-certified mail to it. We are also planning to file for an injunction banning Apple from selling devices with a built-in iMessage and to bring a lawsuit for damages.”