Samsung accused of stealing product designs from appliance maker Dyson

Apple isn't the only major electronics maker to accuse Samsung of copying, as vacuum manufacturer Dyson has filed a new patent infringement suit against the South Korean company.

Company founder Sir James Dyson spoke with the BBC, revealing that he feels he was "forced" to file the lawsuit in English High Court. Dyson said he would much rather his company invest in its own research to develop new technology.

Dyson's issue is with the new Motion Sync vacuum cleaner Samsung unveiled at IFA last week, as the British appliance maker believes it infringes on a patent related to a steering mechanism for cylinder cleaners.

"This looks like a cynical ripoff," Dyson said. "Samsung has many patent lawyers, so I find it hard not to believe that this is a deliberate or utterly reckless infringement of our patent."

Samsung responded by calling the claims from Dyson "groundless." The electronics maker has vowed to "take all necessary measures" to protect its products.

Apple illustration of Samsung phones pre- and post-iPhone. | Source: Apple trial brief

The comments from Dyson are somewhat similar to those made by Apple in 2011, when the iPhone maker filed its own patent infringement suit against Samsung. The legal battle between Apple and Samsung remains ongoing, with Apple insisting that Samsung has stolen the look and feel of the iPhone and iPad for its own mobile devices.

"Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and tablet computers, Samsung chose to copy Apple's technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products," Apple said in its original complaint.

Late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs took particular issue with Samsung, as well as Google's Android, feeling that the products were "stolen" from his own company.

"We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We've decided to do something about it," Jobs said in 2011. "We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours."