Apple is following up its damages award from Samsung and is now seeking a ban on the sale of eight of Samsung's smartphones in the USA.
The company made the filing yesterday with U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California, who handled the case where Apple was awarded over US$1 billion in damages last week.
The effects are however likely to be more symbolic than practical, as the list of devices are all older models. However, Apple is expected to try and widen the claims to include newer devices, such as the flagship Galaxy S3 handset, which could have a far bigger impact on Samsung profits, and its ability to maintain its position as the top handset seller in the country.
The full list of handsets Apple wants banned from sale are:
- Galaxy S II 4G
- Galaxy S II (AT&T variant)
- Galaxy S II Skyrocket
- Galaxy S II (T-Mobile Variant)
- Galaxy S II Epic 4G (Sprint Variant)
- Galaxy S Showcase
- Droid Charge
- Galaxy Prevail
Apple also has a temporary sales ban on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, which it is now expected to seek to have made permanent.
In a rating note, Moody's said that "the impact from this verdict could be more material in the near term if it leads to a ban on the sale of SEC's newer products in the US market, and over the long term if it ultimately undermines its competitiveness in the mobile segment, which is the cash cow for the company,"
In 2011, Samsung's mobile division contributed around 33% (KRW55 trillion) of total sales and over 50% (KRW8.3 trillion) of operating profit.
As a major supplier for Apple, Samsung's semiconductor business could gain from any increase in the sales of Apple's mobile phones or tablets in the near term, but there is also a risk over the long term that Apple may reduce its dependence on the company for its components.
