Samsung Electronics said today it would take counter-action against Apple after the US firm filed suit alleging that the South Korean giant copied its smartphones and tablet computers, reports the “AFP” (http://macte.ch/3DKmn). Apple’s lawsuit claims Samsung’s mobile phones and Galaxy Tab imitated the iPhone and the iPad.

“Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property,” the South Korean firm said in a statement. Samsung has been successfully developing its own core technologies and building up its intellectual property portfolio, it said.

The Yonhap news agency quoted Samsung officials as saying they suspect Apple had violated Samsung’s wireless technology patents. “Apple is one of our key buyers of semiconductors and display panels. However, we have no choice but respond strongly this time,” an unidentified official was quoted as saying.