SEOUL, South Korea, JUNE 7 (AP/UNB) - Samsung Electronics Co. said it will vigorously oppose Apple's move to block sales of the Galaxy S III smartphone in the U.S.

Samsung said Thursday that the latest iteration of the Galaxy smartphone will be launched in the United States as scheduled on June 21.

Samsung's statement comes after Apple asked a U.S. district court to ban sales of the S III in the U.S., claiming Samsung violated Apple's patents.

Samsung said it will demonstrate to the court that the S III is innovative and distinctive.

Samsung and Apple have been embroiled in lawsuits over mobile patents in North America, Europe and Asia for over a year.