Samsung has finally answered Apple's second US patent infringement lawsuit with patent infringement counterclaims of its own. On Wednesday, Samsung filed a response to Apple's lawsuit over the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, claiming that iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, and Macs infringe one or more of eight patents. Two of those patents have been declared essential to 3G wireless standards, however, which could complicate the European Commission's investigation of Samsung's alleged abuse of standards-related patents.

Among the eight patents are three that were recently acquired in 2011, perhaps with the intent to use them against Apple. All of the patents apply to Apple's lucrative mobile devices, including the iPhone and iPad.

However, Samsung's continued use of FRAND-pledged patents may only serve to strengthen Apple's complaint that the company is abusing its position as part of the standards-setting body behind 3G wireless networking. The European Commission is currently investigating Samsung for allegedly reneging on its promise to license 3G-related patents on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms.