Patent row: Samsung seeks peek at new iPad, iPhone

Samsung Electronics has asked a US court to force Apple Inc to hand over its next-generation models of the iPhone and iPad, in the latest volley in a series of patent infringement suits between the two firms.

Samsung Electronics has asked a US court to force Apple Inc to hand over its next-generation models of the iPhone and iPad, in the latest volley in a series of patent infringement suits between the two firms.

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Earlier this month, US district court judge Lucy Koh had ordered Samsung to give Apple copies of several models of its Galaxy mobile phones and tablets among other products.

"It would put Samsung at a significant disadvantage in this litigation if the court allowed Apple access to Samsung's future products ... but prevented Samsung from gaining access to Apple's future products so that it could prepare its defence," Samsung argued in a motion filed on Friday with the US district court for the Northern District of California.

Apple sued Samsung last month, claiming Samsung's Galaxy line of mobile phones and tablets "slavishly" copies the iPhone and iPad. Samsung followed with its own lawsuit, alleging Apple was the company doing the copying.

Apple was Samsung's second-biggest customer last year, mostly for semiconductors. Samsung declined to comment, and Apple could not be reached for comment on Monday.

Samsung is one of the fastest-growing smartphone makers and has emerged Apple's strongest competitor in the booming tablet market.