Apple Didn’t Infringe Samsung Patents, South Korean Court Rules

Apple has scored an important legal victory over Samsung: the Seoul Central District Court has dismissed a lawsuit claiming the iPhone maker’s iPad 2, iPhone 4S, and iPhone 5 infringe three Samsung patents, throwing out the latter’s $100 million damages claim, Reuters reports.

The victory was celebrated by Apple, especially because the company has won this round in Samsung’s homeland. Earlier last year, the company was forced to pay $40 million in damages for infringing two Samsung wireless technology patents.

“We are glad the Korean court joined others around the world in standing up for real innovation and rejecting Samsung’s ridiculous claims,” Apple Korea spokesman Steve Park said.

“As Apple has continued to infringe our patented mobile technologies, we will continue to take the measures necessary to protect our intellectual property rights,” Samsung said in a statement.

The lawsuit is part of the two tech giants’ worldwide legal battle. Today’s victory completes another Mannheim court ruling dismissing Apple’s claim that Samsung’s products infringe a utility patent, however.

An important chapter in the ongoing Apple vs. Samsung battle was closed earlier last month when a US court awarded Apple about $930 million damages after the damages retrial.