Apple asks Seoul court to delay sales ban in Korea

Apple Inc. asked a Seoul court to put on hold its Aug. 24 order barring sales of some of its smartphones and tablet computers in South Korea.

No timeframe has been set for a decision on Apple’s request, according to Kim Mun Sung, a spokesman for the Seoul Central District Court.

The court ruled last month that Apple and Samsung Electronics Co. infringed each other’s patents, ordering the companies to stop selling some smartphones and tablet computers in South Korea and pay damages. Apple was ordered to stop selling the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad 1 and iPad 2 in Korea.

Apple and Samsung are battling over the smartphone market, estimated by Bloomberg Industries to be worth $219 billion last year, with patent disputes being litigated on four continents.