Samsung returns Apple fire with counter suit

Samsung Electronics is suing Apple, claiming it violated its patent rights. Earlier this week, Apple accused the Korean company of “slavishly” copying designs of its iPad and iPhone. The lawsuits, filed in South Korea, Japan and Germany, involve infringement of up to five patents, Samsung said.

“Samsung is responding actively to the legal action taken against us in order to protect our intellectual property,” the Samsung statement said.

Its Galaxy line of smartphones and tablet computers, which use Google’s Android operating system, have emerged as the top competitors so far to Apple’s iPhone and iPad.

Samsung is also one of Apple’s main suppliers of components such as chips and LCD displays.