Apple Requests Stay of Motorola Patent Suits as Samsung Sues in France, Appeals in Germany

Developments continue to arise on regular basis in the patent disputes between Apple and a number of Android handset manufacturers, with individual lawsuits seeing regular status updates and new suits being filed in countries around the world. Here is an update on a few of today's developments:

- Apple requests stay of Motorola lawsuits: FOSS Patents reports that Apple has requested a stay of a pair of lawsuits involving Motorola Mobility, claiming that the pending acquisition of Motorola by Google has resulted in Motorola losing its standing to sue. Apple requests that the suits be stayed until the acquisition is resolved, noting that the merger agreement prohibits Motorola from pursuing its patent rights without Google's consent and that Google itself currently has no rights to the patents in question.

- Samsung sues over iPad and iPhone in France: AFP reports that Samsung has taken its legal battle with Apple to France, where it has filed suit alleging infringement of three patents by the iPad and iPhone.

A source familiar with the complaint said it concerns three Samsung patents concerning UMTS, which is one type of so-called third generation mobile phone technology.

The complaint targets Apple's iPhone 3G and 3GS and iPhone4 smartphone models, and first and second-generation iPads that are mobile phone capable, added the source.

- Samsung appeals in Germany: Unsurprisingly, The Wall Street Journal reports that Samsung has officially appealed the injunction barring it from selling or promoting the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in Germany. The company has yet to offer a basis for its appeal, and is presumably working diligently toward preparing its full filings for the court.