Apple-Samsung patent battle not raging in China

BEIJING - Patent disputes between smartphone giants Apple and Samsung Electronics have not yet entered China, a senior commerce official said Wednesday.

Chong Quan, deputy China international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce, told Xinhua that the ministry had not yet received any probe applications from Apple or Samsung to investigate products involved in an alleged patent infringement case in China.

Chong's remarks eased concerns that the billion dollar lawsuit could result in heavy fines or even a sales ban in China, where both companies have established large consumer bases.

"The impact of the patent fight on Chinese phone makers and consumers has yet to be evaluated," said Chong.

A US federal court jury ruled last week that Samsung had infringed upon six of seven Apple patents and it awarded the iPhone maker $1.05 billion  in damages. Apple also sought to remove eight Samsung smartphones from the US market. Samsung and Apple have engaged in about 30 patent lawsuits in nine countries.

The lawsuits have ended with dramatically different results in the United States, Germany and the Republic of Korea.

An employee holds up a Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Tab tablet computer (L) and an Apple iPad as he poses at a store in Seoul August 27, 2012. Samsung Electronics shares tumbled more than 7 percent on Monday, wiping $12 billion off the South Korean giant's market value, as Apple Inc's sweeping legal victory in their U.S. patent battle raised concerns about its smartphone business - its biggest cash cow. [Photo/Agencies]