South Korean electronics firm Samsung has reportedly warned Apple that it would try to block sales of the next iPhone as soon as it launches in Europe as well as Korea.

Little is known regarding Apple's iPhone 5, but Samsung claims that the Cupertino, Calif.-based gadget maker has infringed its technology.

Lee Younghee, head of global marketing for mobile communications at Samsung, recently said that Apple was free riding on its patented wireless technologies, warning that they would take a stronger stance in the patent battle with the iPhone-maker.

When contacted, a spokesperson for the company confirmed, "We are preparing aggressive legal suits against Apple, shifting away from our defensive strategy."

In April, Apple dragged Samsung to a US court, claiming that its Galaxy handsets and tablet had been violating its patents. Samsung responded by counter-suing Apple.

Samsung and Apple are fighting several patent lawsuits against each other in many countries across the world as both are trying to dominate the global gadget market. The tally of lawsuits in different countries has reached twenty one.

In Germany, Apple recently gained an injunction, blocking the sales of Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablet. Samsung has so far failed to launch its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in Australia also.