Apple blocks Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the US
Published Jun 27 2012, 12:36 BST | By Andrew Laughlin
Apple claims that Samsung has "slavishly" copied the look of its own tablet device, the iPad, for the Galaxy Tab range.
Despite recent peace talks between the chief executives of both companies, they have been unable to find a way through the wider patent dispute, which has also resulted in more than 50 lawsuits across ten different countries.
Samsung has now been hit with a ban in the US on sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, the firm's main challenger to the iPad.
The ban does not cover the Galaxy Tab 2, the newest edition of the tablet.
Apple's case against Samsung is scheduled to be heard in California on July 30.
She said: "Although Samsung has a right to compete, it does not have a right to compete unfairly by flooding the market with infringing products.
"While Samsung will certainly suffer lost sales from the issuance of an injunction, the hardship to Apple of having to directly compete with Samsung's infringing products outweighs Samsung's harm in light of the previous findings by the Court."
Earlier in the month, judge Koh had denied Apple's request for a ban, after saying that she did not have the jurisdiction to issue a preliminary sales injunction against the tablet.
This was because Apple's case against Samsung was still at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, awaiting a mandate.
That court has now asked judge Koh to impose the ban while the case progresses.
In a statement issued to the BBC, Samsung said that it "will take necessary legal steps" to defend itself, and insisted that the ban was unlikely to have a significant impact on its business.
Couldn't agree more, well said unitedpeople Ireland
June 27th 2012 at 9:05pm
I'm sick and tired of reading about Apple and their tactics across America, Europe and the world, in their efforts to kill of any competition.
For that alone and their thug tactics, I and my family will never buy an Apple product. They are a disgrace!
June 27th 2012 at 7:23pm
Well said. You compete by making your products the best, not by going after other companies who innovate faster and surpass what you can deliver.
Apple steal most of their ideas from other companies, patent them (often blindingly obvious things, which most people would regard un-patentable) and then pretend to be a great innovator. It's not a game that can sustain the company long term, so unless it changes tack, it will ultimately fail.
June 27th 2012 at 11:15pm
It's about time Apple were knocked down a peg or two. They could probably sell their ipads and iphones £200 cheaper if they stopped these ridiculous lawsuits that are lining the lawyers pockets. My phone and tablet are both samung and I wouldn't have it any other way. Apple are stopping google maps now, they will never have anything as good, they are just trying to put a nail in the coffin of Android but they have no chance of succeeding. I-tunes sucks.
June 27th 2012 at 6:45pm(+1 like)
seems a bit of a strange one this ... sales blocked of 1 size of superseded galaxy tab while all others remain on sale ... mostly just lawyers after a pay day I think?
June 27th 2012 at 1:41pm(+1 like)