Samsung demands Apple lawyers' recusal

MSN.

Samsung is demanding that Apple's outside legal representatives are thrown-off the case because they used to represent Samsung.

The Korean giant, which faces several allegations of copying Apple's iPad and iPhone for its range of Galaxy smartphones and tablets, reckons this creates an obvious conflict of interest.

The gist of Samsung's 20-page motion is that it wants the recently-founded law firm of Bridges & Mavrakakis barred from the case because at least five of its lawyers - including one of its founders, Kenneth Bridges - previously represented Samsung while they were with another firm, Kirkland & Ellis, says Business Insider.

Samsung then goes on to argue that this fact “taints all attorneys at Bridges & Mavrakakis through imputation”.

Samsung additionally demands that Apple's two other law firms involved with this federal lawsuit (Morrison & Foerster and Wilmer Hale) “provide affidavits confirming they have not received any Samsung confidential information from attorneys at Bridges & Mavrakakis” while those firms were coordinating Apple's representation so far or, absent such assurance, be disqualified as well.

Apple filed its lawsuit against Samsung in the US back in April, alleging that the consumer electronics giant had violated its intellectual property in the design of its mobile devices, reveals Cnet.

The suit takes aim specifically at the Galaxy series of smartphones and tablets, as well as other Samsung smartphones, for 'copying' Apple's user interface and design features.

In it, Apple claims Samsung is infringing on its patents and is practicing unfair competition. Samsung returned the favour a week later, countersuing Apple, alleging that the iPhone and iPad maker was infringing on several of its patents.

Since then, there have been complaints filed with the US International Trade Commission, by both companies requesting that the organisation block one another's imports of smartphones and tablets into the US.

Both parties have also asked to see unreleased and unannounced versions of products from one another.