Yesterday we brought you news that Apple had filed a motion to block the Samsung Galaxy S III from being sold in the U.S. Specifically, Apple wanted to modify an existing injunction request against the Galaxy Nexus to include the Galaxy S III, which they claim violates the same patents in the same ways.
Samsung objected, however, arguing that it was too late to amend the earlier motion to include the new phone. According to Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents, though the judge, Judge Lucy Koh, is sympathetic to Apple’s desire to move quickly, she informed them yesterday that that might not be possible. The case is already very close to trial, and a hearing on whether the Galaxy S III can be added to the original motion will take time. In the meanwhile, Apple may also file for a temporary restraining order against the Galaxy S III. If they do so, however, the trial will have to be pushed back, delaying any final decision on whether Samsung is, in fact, infringing on Apple’s patents.
The Galaxy S III is currently available for pre-order in the U.S. through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The phone will release on AT&T’s network on June 18th, Sprint and T-Mobile on the 21st, and Verizon on July 9th. It is not clear how far the beginning of the trial will have to be pushed back if Apple proceeds with seeking a restraining order.
