 On 5 June 2012 , Apple filed for preliminary injunctions in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against Samsung Electronics , claiming the S III had violated at least two of the company 's patents . Apple requested that the court include the phone in its existing legal battle against Samsung ( see Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co . , Ltd . ) , and ban sales of the S III prior to its scheduled 21 June 2012 US launch . Apple claimed the alleged infringements would " cause immediate and irreparable harm " to its commercial interest . Samsung responded by declaring it would " vigorously oppose the request and demonstrate to the court that the Galaxy S3 [ sic ] is innovative and distinctive " , and reassured the public that 21 June release would proceed as planned . On 11 June , Judge Lucy Koh said that Apple 's claim would overload her work schedule , as she would also be overseeing the trial of Samsung 's other devices ; consequently , Apple dropped its request to block 21 June release of the S III . 
