Samsung Electronics Co (005930.KS) said on Thursday that it will go ahead with the sale of latest version of its flagship smartphone Galaxy S in the U.S. market as planned.

The company said that it will vigorously oppose Apple's request for a court to ban sales of the Galaxy S III smartphone.

 "Samsung believes Apple's request is without merit. We will vigorously oppose the request," the South Korean firm said in a statement.

"We would also like to assure consumers that the U.S. launch and sales of the GALAXY S III will proceed as planned."

Samsung Electronics Co said on Thursday it will fight Apple's move to stop US sales of its new Galaxy phone in the latest flare up of an intellectual property battle between the world's top smartphone makers.

The South Korean company said in a statement that it will demonstrate to the court that the Galaxy S III is innovative and distinctive. On Tuesday, Apple Inc. asked a US district court to temporarily ban sales of the S III smartphone before its launch in the United States. The maker of the iPhone accused Samsung of infringing two Apple patents.