Samsung Electronics is to be investigated to assess whether it has “acted abusively and in contravention of a commitment it gave to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute”, said in a statement by The European Commission today.

It is alleged that Samsung used its patents unfairly and in breach of fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and has used its wireless patents as an anti-competitive tool.

Recent lawsuits against Apple which claim that the company violates Samsung’s wireless patents may go against it if the EC rules that they were enforced unjustly.

This is just the latest in the ongoing saga between Apple and Samsung with the Korean firm bringing lawsuits against Apple in a number of European countries, accusing them of patent infringement of the 3G intellectual property that it holds.

A Samsung spokesperson said: “Samsung Electronics has not received any formal notice and is unable to discuss the matter at this time.”