September 17, 2011 - 12:34 AMT
Samsung accuses Apple of patent infringement in Australia

Samsung Electronics Co. accused Apple Inc. of patent infringement in Australia, adding to multiple lawsuits across at least four continents involving the two companies’ dispute over smartphone technology, Bloomberg reports.

The cross claim filed with the Federal Court of Australia alleges Apple’s iPhone and iPad infringe seven patents related to wireless communications standards, Samsung said in an e-mail today. It also seeks to invalidate and revoke Apple patents that have been asserted against Samsung’s Galaxy phones and tablets.

Apple, based in Cupertino, California, and Samsung have been embroiled in a global battle over market share for both phones and tablet computers. Apple has accused Samsung of “slavishly” copying the iPad and iPhone and has had success in curtailing Galaxy sales in Australia and Germany. There are also lawsuits in the U.S. and Asia.

“Samsung has a proud history of innovation in the mobile industry,” the Suwon, South Korea-based company said. “It has invested continuously in R&D, design and technology to produce our innovative and cutting-edge mobile devices.”