The EU survey on patents for Apple and Samsung

The European Commission said Friday it opened an investigation into whether Apple and Samsung had infringed competition law on patents acting as standards in the field of mobile telephony.

The EC states that the request for information from the two companies is a standard procedure in any investigation relating to competition.

"We received a request for information from the European Commission and are cooperating fully," reported the South Korean group.

Apple and Samsung tear interposed by the courts, each accusing the other of violating intellectual property law.

"This investigation has big implications for the dispute between Apple and Samsung but beyond these two companies and is the type of licensing regime which is based on the entire sector," said Florian Mueller, expert of the law of intellectual property.

Foo Yun Chee, Wilfrid Exbrayat for the French service, edited by Catherine Monin