China-based Huawei, one of the leading smartphone makers in the world, is suing Samsung.

The company announced this week that it has filed lawsuits in the US and China over claims that Samsung is violating patents it holds related to 4G technology, operating systems, and user-interface designs. [1] Huawei cited several Samsung smartphones in its lawsuit.

In a statement, Huawei said that it would like Samsung to license its technology for use in its devices, but declined to say how much in royalties the company is seeking. [2] Its lengthy lawsuit includes mention of a slew of infringements, including those that relate to how the smartphone operating system is displayed on screen and how devices connect to wireless networks.

Huawei's lawsuit is eerily similar to the patent battle Apple and Samsung have been waging for the last five years. Both companies have argued that the other is violating patents they own. While Apple and Samsung have decided to end their legal battles internationally, Samsung appealed to the Supreme Court here in the US, which agreed to hear a portion of the case.

Unsurprisingly, Samsung argues that it doesn't violate patents held by any company, including Huawei. Instead, the company has said that its technologies are its own, or in some cases, the patent-infringement claims brought against it are illegitimate.

Huawei presents an interesting challenge for Samsung. The company, like Apple, is one of the more prominent smartphone makers in the world and the top smartphone maker in China. Its smartphone shipments are also growing at a rapid rate, thanks in no small part to its high-end devices being offered alongside budget-friendly alternatives. [3]

Meanwhile, Huawei has a successful telecommunications business and holds 50,000 patents, according to Reuters, which earlier reported on the lawsuit. Samsung has 110,000 patents.

Samsung tells Reuters it will "take appropriate action to defend Samsung's business interests."