Apple snaps up LTE patents to strengthen position vs. Samsung

Apple is known to have bought patents for the mobile communication technology long-term evolution, or LTE, in recent months. Amid its patent battle with Samsung Electronics, the American company is strengthening its offensive with LTE.

According to the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Monday, Apple ranked 10th in the world with 318 LTE patents owned as of late June. Up until late 2011, the company had no LTE patent registered with the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.

In the first half of this year, Apple registered 44 LTE patents that it directly held, 214 patents purchased from Canadian telecommunication equipment maker Nortel, and 56 bought from Freescale Semiconductor. If the 116 LTE standard patents Apple owns via Rockstar Bidco, Apple`s largest shareholder and patent management company, are included, the number of Apple`s LTE patents would top 420.

Apple is aggressively acquiring not only LTE patents but others related to its products through Rockstar Bidco.

A source at the intellectual property office said, "A weak spot for Apple had been the possession of a far smaller number of LTE patents than smartphone makers that use Google`s Android operating system. It must have strategically planned to secure intellectual property to prepare for potential disputes over smartphone patents."

Samsung remains silent on this issue but fears that it might be in a disadvantageous position if Apple owns key LTE patents. The Korean company is trying to counter with its LTE patents against Apple`s attacks over design and user interface patent infringement.

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