There's no question that Apple turned the smartphone market upside down when it introduced the original iPhone way back in during the summer of 2007. After its release, numerous competitors kicked into overdrive to come up with smartphones built around a touch interface. 

Apple again caught the industry with its pants down when it launched the iPad in 2010. Once again, competitors were caught off guard and rushed to get their own products onto the market.

In a new lawsuit filed this week, Apple is alleging that at least one of its competitors -- Samsung -- took a few shortcuts in getting its smartphones and tablets to market. Those shortcuts, Apple alleges, are that Samsung copied the exterior design and interface elements of its iOS-based devices.

Apple names the Galaxy S 4G, Epic 4G, and Nexus smartphones along with the Galaxy Tab tablet in the lawsuit according to the Wall Street Journal. 

Apple claims: 

Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple's technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products. 

Ina Fried of Mobilized received stronger language from an Apple spokesperson; "It’s no coincidence that Samsung’s latest products look a lot like the iPhone and iPad, from the shape of the hardware to the user interface and even the packaging. This kind of blatant copying is wrong, and we need to protect Apple’s intellectual property when companies steal our ideas.”

Apple may have a point when it comes to the Galaxy S smartphones, as the design and interface do look more than a bit like the iPhone 3GS. It remains to be seen whether the courts will agree with Apple, however.