The two companies have been locked in legal disputes in 10 countries involving smartphones and tablet computers.
“The European Commission has indeed sent requests for information to Apple and Samsung concerning the enforcement of standards-essential patents in the mobile telephony sector,” EU executive said.
Apple has argued that Samsung’s Galaxy line of mobile phones and tablets “slavishly” copied its iPhone and iPad. Samsung, in turn, has brought patent infringement claims against Apple in several EU courts. Samsung said it had remained committed to fair and non-discriminatory licensing terms for its wireless standards-related patents.