Is Apple trying to bar Samsung Elec. from Europe?

Apple seems determined to shut down Samsung Electronics’ smartphone business in the European market.

According to Samsung on Friday, Apple has filed a patent infringement suit against the Korean company and Samsung`s branch in the Netherlands with a Hague court to block Korea’s largest electronic goods maker from producing, importing, distributing and selling Galaxy smartphones and tablet PCs.

Apple also wants a complete recall of Galaxy products.

The latest suit is wider and more intense than the one filed with a court in Dusseldorf, Germany. So if Samsung loses, it must give up its smartphone and tablet PC business lines in Europe.

Samsung’s Galaxy lines include the tablet PC Galaxy Tab and the smartphone Galaxy S 2.

In the first half of this year, Samsung sold 7 trillion won (6.5 billion U.S. dollars) worth of Galaxy products in the European market.

The Hague court heard the case on Aug. 10 and 11 and will deliver its ruling in mid-September.

For the court hearing, Samsung mobilized patent and legal experts at its headquarters and branch offices in Europe and lawyers from Dutch law firms.

Under-the-table negotiations are known to be underway between Apple and Samsung as well.

A Samsung source said, “We can’t disclose details as the litigation is underway, but we`re doing our best to respond to Apple’s attacks.”

Apple is dominating the European tablet PC market with a market share of 69 percent in the second quarter of this year.

With Samsung penetrating the European market at a rapid pace, however, Apple has launched a legal offensive against the former to nip it in the bud, according to industry sources. In the second quarter of the year, Samsung had 7 percent of market share in the European tablet PC market.

Samsung’s Dutch branch consists of sales, logistics and logistics assistance divisions and is responsible for logistics for most European countries.

jaeyuna@donga.com