Verizon takes Samsumg’s side in spat with Apple

Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:37am BST

(Corrects spelling of “Samsung’s” in headline)

Sept 26 (Reuters) – Verizon Wireless, the biggest U.S.
mobile provider, has taken a legal stand against Apple Inc’s
request to prohibit the sale of some Samsung
Electronics models in the United States.

“The requested injunction of certain Samsung products will
harm Verizon Wireless and U.S. consumers,” Verizon said in a
court filing dated Sept. 23.

“It also has the possibility of slowing the deployment of
next-generation networks — such as Verizon Wireless’s –
contrary to the stated goals of the U.S. government,” it said.

Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon
Communications Inc and Vodafone Plc .

Apple and Samsung have been locked in an acrimonious global
battle over smartphone and tablet patents since April. Last
month Apple won a symbolic legal victory when a German court
upheld a ban on Samsung’s local unit selling its
Galaxy 10.1 tablets in Europe’s biggest economy.