It’s a strategy for Apple to do this. No one thought of patenting this tech before, even though they have had it, so now they must receive permission from Apple (in exchange for money of course) to use it. I’m sure those who were using the technology beforehand will be grandfathered in so it wouldn’t be patent infringement. But those who choose to use it after will have to pay.
Dick move? Yes. Smart move, financially? Yes.
EDIT:
So far, according to Wiki, 32 million GS3 phones have been sold in 2012 (released in late May according to the GS3 Wiki). iPhone 5 has sold about 20 million units, and was released in late September. So GS3 has sold about 60% more, but was also on the market 100% longer.