The iPhone X, 8 and four iPads may be banned in South Korea; could be saved by Samsung

The iPhone X, the iPhone 8 / Plus and four different iPad models face a potential import ban in South Korea as a result of a violation claim patent. The Korean authorities say that no decision has yet been taken, but that the decision is "probably" contrary to Apple.

Ironically, Apple could be saved by the intervention of rival smartphone provider Samsung …

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KAIST, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, claims to hold a patent on a form of transistor technology used in Apple's A-series chips. The technology, known as FinFET, is a form of 3D transistor used in many modern processors.

Korea Business reports that the Korean government has indicated the expected outcome of the investigation.

Korea's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy is investigating allegations that Apple has violated KAIST's FinFET patent. As the investigation period has already been extended twice, its final determination should be favorable to KAIST. Then, the import of Apple phones such as the iPhone X may be prohibited […]

The targets include the iPhone 8, the iPhone 8+, the iPhone X, the iPad 9.7 and the iPad Pro 9.7, 10.5 and 12.9 inches .

The dispute is not whether Apple's chips use FinFET technology, but rather whether the patent is valid or not. The potential good news for Apple is that the validity of the patent is also disputed by Samsung, which uses the same technology in its chips.

"We can only pay attention to litigation in the US and South Korea involving Samsung Electronics although our current investigation is targeting Apple," the ministry said, adding that "Samsung Electronics has presented evidence to rebut is necessary for that the patent is considered valid. "

So we could end up with the rather amusing situation of Samsung saving the day for Apple.

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