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Apple Suing Samsung for Copying (19th April, 2011)

Apple Inc. is suing Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. for copying the design, look and even the packaging of its iPhone and iPad products. Apple alleges that Samsung’s Galaxy phones and tablet computers infringe the patents of its products. Included in the list of infringements are the use of the hand gestures used on Apple’s touch screens, the colour and shape of Samsung’s devices, and even the design of the boxes in which Samsung’s gadgets are sold. Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, accused Samsung of violating Apple trademarks and patents. He included the Korean tech giant in a list of companies making tablets that would make 2011 the “Year of Copycats.” Steve Dowling, an Apple spokesperson, said the company had to protect its intellectual copyright.

Samsung executives are not happy at having to fight Apple in court. The two companies are dependent on each other in many ways. Samsung supplies many of the parts for Apple’s iPhone. A Samsung spokesperson said his company’s “development of core technologies and the strengthening of our intellectual property portfolio are keys to our continued success.” He added: “Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property.” The courtroom battle is set to last months, perhaps years. A lot is at stake. Industry analysts predict tablet computers will soon overtake personal computers in global sales. Apple is determined the iPhone, introduced in 2007, and the iPad, which came in 2010, will continue as market leaders.


WARM-UPS

1. iPHONES AND iPADS: Walk around the class and talk to other students about iPhones and iPads. Change partners often. Sit with your first partner(s) and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

suing / copying / design / products / packaging / gadgets / trademarks / copyright / executives / supplies / spokesperson / portfolio / legal measures / analysts / leaders

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. PATENT: Can Apple sue Samsung over these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners and share what you wrote. Change and share again.

Sue over…

Yes (Why?)

No (Why?)

the iPad shape

 

 

screen hand gestures

 

 

the photo on the box

 

 

the packaging

 

 

the design

 

 

the colour

 

 

4. PATENTS: Students A strongly believe patents are highly important; Students B strongly believe patents hold back innovation.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

5. GADGETS: What are your faves? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners and share your rankings again.

  • iPad
  • PC
  • Games console
  • watch
  • MP3 music player
  • tablet
  • mobile phone
  • TV

6. iPAD: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word ‘iPad’. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.


 
 

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.

Apple is suing Samsung for copying the way it boxes its products.

T / F

b.

Apple is also suing over the use of its touch-screen hand gestures.

T / F

c.

The Apple SEO has not yet accused Samsung of copying.

T / F

d.

An Apple spokesperson said Apple didn’t need to protect its copyright.

T / F

e.

Samsung executives are very happy to fight Apple in court.

T / F

f.

Apple makes all its own parts for the iPhone.

T / F

g.

It is expected the trial could take several years.

T / F

h.

Tablets like the iPad could soon start outselling personal computers

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.

suing

a.

abusing

2

alleges

b.

step on

3.

infringe

c.

reliant

4.

violating

d.

representative

5.

spokesperson

e.

taking to court

6.

dependent

f.

suitable

7.

core

g.

says

8.

appropriate

h.

carry on

9.

last

i.

basic

10.

continue

j.

continue for

3. PHRASE MATCH:  (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.

the packaging

a.

its products

2

infringe the patents of

b.

stake

3.

Included in the list

c.

intellectual copyright

4.

the use of the hand

d.

fight Apple in court

5.

the company had to protect its

e.

property portfolio

6.

not happy at having to

f.

of its iPhone

7.

The two companies are dependent

g.

measures

8.

the strengthening of our intellectual

h.

of infringements

9.

appropriate legal

i.

gestures

10.

A lot is at

j.

on each other

 


 
 

WHILE READING / LISTENING

GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text.

Apple Inc. is suing Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. for (1) ____________ the design, look and even the (2) ____________ of its iPhone and iPad products. Apple (3) ____________ that Samsung’s Galaxy phones and tablet computers infringe the patents of its products. Included in the (4) ____________ of infringements are the use of the hand gestures used on Apple’s touch screens, the colour and (5) ____________ of Samsung’s devices, and even the design of the boxes in which Samsung’s (6) ____________ are sold. Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, accused Samsung of violating Apple trademarks and patents. He (7) ____________ the Korean tech giant in a list of companies making tablets that would make 2011 the “Year of Copycats.” Steve Dowling, an Apple spokesperson, said the company had to (8) ____________ its intellectual copyright.

 

 

 

gadgets
alleges
protect
copying
shape
packaging
included
list

Samsung executives are not happy at (9) ____________ to fight Apple in court. The two companies are dependent (10) ____________ each other in many ways. Samsung supplies many of the parts for Apple’s iPhone. A Samsung spokesperson said his company’s “development of (11) ____________ technologies and the strengthening of our intellectual property portfolio are (12) ____________ to our continued success.” He added: “Samsung will respond actively to this legal (13) ____________ taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property.” The courtroom (14) ____________ is set to last months, perhaps years. A lot is at stake. Industry analysts (15) ____________ tablet computers will soon overtake personal computers in global sales. Apple is determined the iPhone, introduced in 2007, and the iPad, which (16) ____________ in 2010, will continue as market leaders.

 

 

predict
core
action
on
came
battle
having
keys

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Apple Inc. is suing Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. ___________________, look and ___________________ its iPhone and iPad products. Apple alleges that Samsung’s Galaxy phones and tablet computers infringe the patents of its products. Included in the list of infringements ___________________ gestures used on Apple’s touch screens, ___________________ Samsung’s devices, and even the design of the boxes in which Samsung’s gadgets are sold. Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, accused Samsung of violating Apple trademarks and patents. He included the Korean ___________________ companies making tablets that would make 2011 the “Year of Copycats.” Steve Dowling, an Apple spokesperson, said the ___________________ its intellectual copyright.

Samsung executives are not ___________________ fight Apple in court. The two companies are dependent on each other in many ways. Samsung ___________________ parts for Apple’s iPhone. A Samsung spokesperson said his company’s “development of core technologies and the strengthening of our intellectual property portfolio are ___________________ success.” He added: “Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through ___________________ to protect our intellectual property.” The courtroom _______________________ months, perhaps years. ___________________. Industry analysts predict tablet computers will soon overtake personal computers in global sales. Apple is determined the iPhone, introduced in 2007, and the iPad, which came in 2010, will continue as market leaders.


 
 

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words ‘phone’ and ‘pad’.

phone

pad

 

 

 

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

  • look
  • infringe
  • list
  • boxes
  • giant
  • year
  • having
  • parts
  • core
  • keys
  • stake
  • global

STUDENT IPHONES AND IPADS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about iPhones and iPads in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

IPHONES AND IPADS DISCUSSION

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘iPhone’?

c)

What do you think of iPhones and iPads?

d)

Do you think Apple’s designs should be protected?

e)

Do you think Apple will be successful in court against Samsung?

f)

Would you prefer and Apple or Samsung product? Why?

g)

Can a company patent the hand gestures used on touch screens?

h)

Do patents hold back innovation?

i)

Do you think Samsung is a copycat?

j)

What do you think of Apple as a company?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)

Did you like reading this article?

b)

Why aren’t Samsung executives happy at having to fight Apple in court?

c)

How would you decide in this case?

d)

Should Samsung put its prices up on the parts its supplies Apple?

e)

What is at stake here?

f)

Do you think tablets will soon be more popular than personal computers?

g)

What’s your favourite tech company and why?

h)

How useful are iPhones and iPads (or similar devices)?

i)

Which is better, an iPhone or iPad?

j)

What questions would you like to ask Apple CEO Steve Jobs?

LANGUAGE – MULTIPLE CHOICE

Apple Inc. is (1) ____ Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. for copying the design, look and even the packaging of its iPhone and iPad products. Apple (2) ____ that Samsung’s Galaxy phones and tablet computers infringe the patents of its products. Included in the list of infringements are the use of the hand (3) ____ used on Apple’s touch screens, the colour and shape of Samsung’s devices, and even the design of the boxes (4) ____ which Samsung’s gadgets are sold. Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, accused Samsung of violating Apple trademarks and patents. He included the Korean tech (5) ____ in a list of companies making tablets that would make 2011 the “Year of (6) ____.” Steve Dowling, an Apple spokesperson, said the company had to protect its intellectual copyright.

Samsung executives are not happy at (7) ____ to fight Apple in court. The two companies are dependent (8) ____ each other in many ways. Samsung supplies many of the parts for Apple’s iPhone. A Samsung spokesperson said his company’s “development of (9) ____ technologies and the strengthening of our intellectual property portfolio are keys to our continued success.” He added: “Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through (10) ____ legal measures to protect our intellectual property.” The courtroom battle is set to last months, perhaps years. A lot is at (11) ____. Industry analysts predict tablet computers will soon overtake personal computers in global sales. Apple is determined the iPhone, introduced in 2007, and the iPad, which came in 2010, will continue (12) ____ market leaders.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

suing

(b)

sues

(c)

sued

(d)

sue

2.

(a)

allegations

(b)

alleges

(c)

allegories

(d)

alligators

3.

(a)

guesses

(b)

gestation

(c)

gestures

(d)

gusts

4.

(a)

on

(b)

up

(c)

to

(d)

in

5.

(a)

fairy

(b)

troll

(c)

ogre

(d)

giant

6.

(a)

Underdogs

(b)

Fat Cats

(c)

Copycats

(d)

Lap Dogs

7.

(a)

having

(b)

have

(c)

has

(d)

had

8.

(a)

in

(b)

on

(c)

to

(d)

at

9.

(a)

wow

(b)

cow

(c)

core

(d)

wore

10.

(a)

appropriate

(b)

assumption

(c)

accolade

(d)

allowance

11.

(a)

steak

(b)

stack

(c)

stark

(d)

stake

12.

(a)

was

(b)

as

(c)

has

(d)

is


 
 

WRITING

Write about iPhones and iPads for 10 minutes. Correct your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about iPhones and iPads. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. IPHONES AND IPADS: Make a poster about iPhones and iPads. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. SUED: Write a magazine article about this news. Include imaginary interviews with Apple and Samsung execs.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. LETTER: Write a letter to the boss of Apple. Ask him three questions about iPhones and iPads. Give him three ideas on how to make them better. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.


 


 
 

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE:

a.

T

b.

T

c.

F

d.

F

e.

F

f.

F

g.

T

h.

T

SYNONYM MATCH:

1.

suing

a.

taking to court

2

alleges

b.

says

3.

infringe

c.

step on

4.

violating

d.

abusing

5.

spokesperson

e.

representative

6.

dependent

f.

reliant

7.

core

g.

basic

8.

appropriate

h.

suitable

9.

last

i.

continue for

10.

continue

j.

carry on

PHRASE MATCH:

1.

the packaging

a.

of its iPhone

2

infringe the patents of

b.

its products

3.

Included in the list

c.

of infringements

4.

the use of the hand

d.

gestures

5.

the company had to protect its

e.

intellectual copyright

6.

not happy at having to

f.

fight Apple in court

7.

The two companies are dependent

g.

on each other

8.

the strengthening of our intellectual

h.

property portfolio

9.

appropriate legal

i.

measures

10.

A lot is at

j.

stake

GAP FILL:

Apple suing Samsung for copying

Apple Inc. is suing Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. for (1) copying the design, look and even the (2) packaging of its iPhone and iPad products. Apple (3) alleges that Samsung’s Galaxy phones and tablet computers infringe the patents of its products. Included in the (4) list of infringements are the use of the hand gestures used on Apple’s touch screens, the colour and (5) shape of Samsung’s devices, and even the design of the boxes in which Samsung’s (6) gadgets are sold. Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, accused Samsung of violating Apple trademarks and patents. He (7) included the Korean tech giant in a list of companies making tablets that would make 2011 the “Year of Copycats.” Steve Dowling, an Apple spokesperson, said the company had to (8) protect its intellectual copyright.

Samsung executives are not happy at (9) having to fight Apple in court. The two companies are dependent (10) on each other in many ways. Samsung supplies many of the parts for Apple’s iPhone. A Samsung spokesperson said his company’s “development of (11) core technologies and the strengthening of our intellectual property portfolio are (12) keys to our continued success.” He added: “Samsung will respond actively to this legal (13) action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property.” The courtroom (14) battle is set to last months, perhaps years. A lot is at stake. Industry analysts (15) predict tablet computers will soon overtake personal computers in global sales. Apple is determined the iPhone, introduced in 2007, and the iPad, which (16) came in 2010, will continue as market leaders.

LANGUAGE WORK

1 - a

2 - b

3 - c

4 - d

5 - d

6 - c

7 - a

8 - b

9 - c

10 - a

11 - d

12 - b

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