Samsung adds iPad mini to patent battle with Apple

Samsung has filed papers at a US court alleging that Apple’s iPad mini infringes eight of its patents in the latest clash between the two companies.

The rival companies are fighting cases against each other in more than 10 countries, each accusing the other of violating patents.

In August, a US court awarded Apple $1bn in damages against Samsung, after ruling that several of Apple’s software and design technologies had been infringed.

However, Samsung has appealed against the ruling and has called for a retrial.

The latest case brought by Samsung follows a victory earlier this week when a court ordered Apple to disclose details of its patent-sharing deal with HTC.

Samsung asked the courts to order Apple to reveal the information because it was "almost certain" the deal covered some of the patents at the centre of its dispute with Apple.

Some analysts said the order to give Samsung access to details of Apple's deal with HTC may have a big impact on the legal battle between Samsung and Apple.

If there are similarities between the two disputes, analysts believe it will give Samsung an advantage in any future negotiations with Apple.

In the latest case, Samsung claims that Apple’s iPad mini violates patents on radio signalling technologies, among others.

According to the Telegraph, both firms are seeking to ensure the others’ most recent products are drawn into the fight, which could lead to sales bans.

Last week, Apple successfully applied to add Google’s most recent mobile operating system, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, to the case, the paper said.