T-Mobile lines

T-Mobile USA has become the latest mobile provider opposing Apple's bid to stop Samsung Electronics Co from selling some Galaxy products in the United States, according to a court filing.

The move by T-Mobile on Wednesday follows a similar position taken last week by Verizon Wireless. T-Mobile, which cited 2011 holiday sales as one of its primary concerns, is the fourth largest U.S. mobile service, while Verizon is the biggest.
The legal battle between Apple and Samsung has been building since April, when Apple sued Samsung in a California federal court for infringing its intellectual property rights.
Samsung is the leading user of the Google Android platform. Apple claims the South Korean firm's Galaxy line of mobile phones and tablets "slavishly" copies the iPhone and iPad.
Apple has asked a judge to issue an injunction that would prevent Samsung from selling some Galaxy products. A hearing on the injunction request is scheduled for Oct. 13.
An order against Samsung would "unnecessarily harm" T-Mobile and its customers, T-Mobile said in a court filing on Wednesday.
"At this late date, T-Mobile could not find comparable replacement products for the 2011 holiday season," the company argued.
T-Mobile's marketing campaigns "prominently feature" the Galaxy S 4G phone and Galaxy Tab 10.1, and the company has also ordered holiday inventory, it said in the filing.
"These investments cannot be recouped easily," the company said.
Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet on Wednesday referred to earlier statements, saying that Apple needed to protect its intellectual property when companies steal its ideas.
Other carriers such as AT&T Inc and Sprint Nextel have not yet weighed in on the debate. Representatives for the companies had no immediate comment.
In a statement, T-Mobile said it respects intellectual property rights but that an injunction "is a drastic and extraordinary measure."
Earlier this week, Verizon said that disputes involving intellectual property should not interfere with the free flow of the newest 4G devices.
Samsung unveiled an agreement with Microsoft on Wednesday for the development and marketing of Windows phones, as well as a wide patent cross-licensing deal. Microsoft will get royalties for Samsung devices that run the Android platform.
The case in U.S. District Court, Northern District of California is Apple Inc v. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd et al, 11-1846.

Apple rejects Samsung offer

Apple Inc has rejected an offer from South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co to help settle their tablet-computer dispute in Australia, hoping for an important court victory there in its global campaign of patent litigation.

Apple has claimed Samsung's Galaxy line of mobile phones and tablets had "slavishly" copied its iPhone and iPad. It has already secured a block on the latest Galaxy tablets in Germany and is delaying their launch in Australia.
Samsung made an offer to Apple last week, promising to help ensure an expedited court hearing in return for Samsung being able to immediately launch the Galaxy 10.1 tablet in Australia.
But both companies made clear to the Federal Court on Tuesday that there appeared to be no prospect of such a deal.
"It is one we don't accept and there is no surprise. The main reason we are here is to prevent the launch (of the Galaxy 10.1) and maintain the status quo," Apple lawyer Steven Burley told the court.
Samsung has been forced to delay the launch of its new Galaxy in Australia until after the court makes a ruling.
"It is not going to be achievable your honour, given the positions advanced by each party," a Samsung lawyer told the court when asked about the prospects of a settlement.
Last week, Samsung agreed to withdraw two features from the Galaxy 10.1 which allegedly infringed Apple's patents. That has reduced their dispute in Australia to the one patent over touch-screen display technology.