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Samsung Prepares To Grill Apple's Jonathan Ive

As the Apple-Samsung patent soap opera rages on, Samsung’s been busy preparing for pull its next patent punch. In the latest move: it’s been pushing to depose industrial design team — and Apple design mastermind, Jonathan Ive. Depositions of key Apple designers had been scheduled to be done with by November 1, Edible Apple reports, but […]

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As the Apple-Samsung patent soap opera rages on, Samsung's been busy preparing for pull its next patent punch. In the latest move: it's been pushing to depose industrial design team -- and Apple design mastermind, Jonathan Ive.

Depositions of key Apple designers had been scheduled to be done with by November 1, Edible Apple reports, but Samsung had to file a motion seeking an extension because they had been unavailable. The document highlighted, of course, that Apple design mastermind, Jonathan Ive is on Samsung's radar. But other names popped up. Who are they?

Doug Satzger worked at Apple for 12 years up until 2008. According to his LinkedIn profile he “managed and directed all creative aspect of color materials and finishes for product from the first iMac to the latest iPhone, iPods, iPad and MacBooks.”

Interestingly, he went to work for Palm in March of 2009 as their Senior Director of Industrial Design. We can only assume he’s now at HP.

Shin Nishibori is an industrial designer at Apple with an incredibly large number of design patents to his credit, with his name appearing on patents as varied as the iPod Nano, the MacBook Air, the iPhone 4 design, and even the design of Apple’s retail packaging.

Christopher Stringer is an equally prolific designer at Apple whose name has been appearing near the top of Apple patent filings for years.

Apple filed its US suit against Samsung in April. It's charged that Samsung “slavishly” copied of its designs. Samsung has hit back. Apple has until December 1 to make these designers available to be grilled. Sit tight, and enjoy the drama.