The Wall Street Journal says Samsung will try to prevent the sale of the device in those countries because, the company alleges, Apple is infringing on three Samsung patents with the device. Samsung claims it gave the patents to an international body that standardized 3G technology. However, Samsung now charges that Apple didn't access the standard properly. As for the choice of France and Italy, a Samsung rep told WSJ that those are "key markets" in Europe.
Apple plans to make the iPhone 4S available in the U.S. on Oct. 14 and in Italy and most of Europe by the end of the month.
Samsung's move comes as no surprise since the company had already pledged to sue Apple as soon as the new iPhone was introduced. For Samsung, the move is quid quo pro since Apple has successfully barred the sale of some Galaxy phones in the Netherlands, as well as the Galaxy Tab in Australia and Germany by alleging patent infringement.