Gather round the campfire, folks, because today we've got another new chapter in the ever-growing legal battle between Apple and Samsung. This morning it was revealed that a judge has upheld the temporary ban placed on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany, despite Samsung's attempts to overturn it. Judge Johanna Brueckner-Hofmann explained that, for the informed consumer, "there remains the predominant overall impression that the [Tab 10.1] looks" like the protected design held by Apple in Europe. The judge pointed out that the front of the Tab 10.1 is the focus of the ban here, as she feels that the face of Samsung's tablet is nearly identical to Apple's design. Brueckner-Hofmann added that the court feels that Apple's "minimalistic design" isn't the only way to make a tablet and that "other designs are possible."
When asked to comment on the judge's ruling, Samsung said that it "severely limits consumer choice in Germany" and "restricts design innovation and progress in the industry." The company also said that it plans to appeal the decision.
Early last month saw a German court issue an EU-wide (save for the Netherlands) injunction against sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, although that ban was changed a week later to only cover Germany. This news also comes shortly after Apple won a preliminary injunction against the Galaxy Tab 7.7 in Germany. So far it seems that Apple is doing well against Samsung in the German court rooms, but I'm sure that the fight between these two firms is still far from over. More on this case as we get it.
Via This is my next, Bloomberg
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