Mikey Campbell
In a request to the Seoul Central District Court on Friday, Samsung asked to see the source code for Apple's latest iOS, claiming that it needed access to the extremely sensitive data to confirm that the operating system infringes on a software patent.
In response, Apple vehemently denied the request, calling it "ridiculous" as the source code is among the company's most guarded assets, reports The Korea Times.
Court officials quoted Apple counsel as saying, "[The request] doesn’t make any sense. Samsung is saying that we should give up protecting our most important data." The court asked that Apple provide its software designers and engineers for testimony, but the company refused.
The request comes one day after Samsung lawyers said it would be impossible to determine whether the Korean tech giant's patent was infringed upon without the source code. Apple reportedly called the plea "insane."
At issue is Apple's implementation of Notification Center, which allows users to swipe down from the top of any iDevice screen to access a host of updates including weather, email and push notifications, among others. Samsung first filed suit against the Cupertino company in December, claiming Notification Center infringed on patented technology.
Apple introduced Notification Center with iOS 5 in 2011, some time after a similar solution was seen in handsets running Google's Android. Earlier this month AppleInsider discovered an Apple patent application for the iOS notification system, but it is unclear if the filing has any relation to Samsung's Korean suit.
Samsung claimed that it patented an identical feature in November 2006 that was later used in Android devices including the company's Galaxy line of smartphones and tablets. Apple rebutted and accused Samsung of taking ownership of a technology already in use throughout the industry.
The Seoul court did not issue a ruling regarding the matter and an official timeline for a determination has yet to be announced.
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Andrew Orr
34 Comments
This already came up in Australia, maybe early last year? I thought Samsung already got a peek at the source code. Perhaps it was restricted to a 3rd party exam, dunno.
EDIT: Yup, an Australian court ordered Apple to hand over iOS5 source code to Samsung in Nov/11, which they did. Hardly a new issue, and one that Apple has already complied with before.
http://www.theverge.com/2011/11/11/2555493/samsung-wins-some-and-loses-some-in-australia-infringement-case
one word -
don'tnoain'tgonna
"John, go downstairs and give Samsung the "source code"."
Apple lawyer: "Oh, sure... I have a copy right here... It's kind of tattered... Why don't I send you a "fresh" copy in the morning? Are there any sections you would like me to highlight? Do you need help preparing your brief?"
"Oh, can I have some of what you're snorting?"
"There's a hole in Sammy's arm where all the money goes..."
Edit: I am listening to this right now... If you substitute Samsung for for "San Stone" "Daddy" it really fits:
Sam Stone by Al Kooper
Sam Stone came home,
To his wife and family
After serving in the conflict overseas.
And in the time that he had served,
It had shattered all his nerves,
And it left a little shrapnel in his knee.
Oh, but the morphine eased the pain,
And the grass grew round his brain,
And it gave him all the comfort as he lacked,
With a purple heart and a monkey on his back.
Chorus:
There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin' I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
But don't you stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios.
Mmm....
Sam Stone's welcome home
Didn't last too long.
No he went to work after he spent his last dime
And Sammy took to stealing
When he get’ that empty feeling
For a hundred dollar habit without overtime.
And the cold rolled through his veins
Like a thousand railroad trains,
And it eased his mind in the hours that it shows,
While his kids ran around wearin' other peoples' clothes...
Repeat chorus:
Sam Stone was alone
When he broke his gas balloon
Climbing walls while he sat there in a chair
Well, he played his last request
While the room stonk just like death
With an overdose just hoverin’ in the air
But life had lost it's fun
And there was nothing to be done
But to trade his house that he bought on the GI-bill
For what, a flag draped casket on a local heroes' hill
Repeat chorus
Sam Stone, ah
Sam Stone
It will be a cold day in hell before Apple would release the crown jewels to this thieving company.