Samsung Banned from Selling Galaxy Tab in Germany
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Samsung and Apple have been involved in heated court battles spanning the globe, after Apple began filing lawsuits based on the similarity of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to the iPad, claiming that Samsung copied their designs.
A judge in Dusseldorf, Germany, agrees with Apple, and on Friday, the court ruled that the Galaxy Tab’s design “too closely” resembles the iPad 2. This is a reiteration of a previous ruling banning the device.
As a result, Samsung will not be able to sell and distribute any new models of the Galaxy Tab in Germany, including the 10.1 inch tablet and the upcoming 7.7 inch tablet, which was just recently revealed. Samsung was also forced to pull the tablet from the IFA electronics show in Berlin.
“The court is of the opinion that Apple’s minimalistic design isn’t the only technical solution to make a tablet computer, other designs are possible,” said judge Johanna Brueckner-Hofmann.
Apple will likely be able to use this ruling to lend credibility to its arguments against Samsung in other European and U.S. courts. Samsung and Apple’s legal battle will begin in the United States on October 13th.
People living in Germany may still be able to get one of the tablets, however, as the ruling only bans direct sales. Resellers will likely still be able to distribute the tablet. Samsung has issued a statement, saying that the company will be appealing the ruling.
[via Foss Patents]
