Apple has acquired 434 patents LTE patent ahead of the launch of iPhone 5 in a bid to prepare itself for possible legal battle with Samsung.
In the past one year alone the company has acquired 318 patents related to LTE technology which is related to fourth generation mobile communication.
Out of the 318 LTE patents Apple has developed 44 of them and remaining patents were acquired by the company from Nortel and Freescale last year.
Patent enforcement firm Rockstar Bidco, which is majority owned by Apple owns about 116 LTE patents increasing its patent portfolio to 434.
Korea Intellectual Property official was quoted by The Chosun Ilbo as saying: "This shows that Apple has been taking strategic steps to acquire intellectual property to prepare for potential legal disputes before it launches its own LTE smartphones."
Samsung is reportedly preparing to sue Apple over the use of 4G long-term evolution (LTE) mobile technology in its products.
According to a report from the Korean Times, Samsung is planning to hit its rival with a lawsuit if the Apple’s next iPhone is powered by its cellular data technology.
Apple’s 4G-ready device has already been launched into the market in its third generation iPad, while Samsung is expected to bid its time to chase a sales injunction against the the company’s next smartphone.
Samsung holds third-highest number of 4G LTE patents around the world to about 12% with Nokia holding the highest 18.9% share, followed by Qualcomm at 12.5%.
Apple is planning to release its new iPhone shortly and the new smartphone is expected to feature 4G technology.
This latest development follows Apple’s win over Samsung with the California jury ordering Samsung to pay $1.05bn in damages for infringing patents used in the iPhone.
