Apple ordered to apologise to Samsung, could look like this

In what is possibly the funniest technology story ever, a judge has ordered that Apple must publicly apologise to Samsung -- and I can exclusively reveal what that apology will look like.

British Judge Colin Birss -- who is rapidly becoming my favourite person ever -- has ordered Apple to post newspaper adverts both apologising to Samsung and admitting that the Korean company did not copy the iPad at all. The apology must stay on Apple's website for the next six months.

Fine, so maybe we created the image above ourselves, but we can't wait to see what Apple actually comes up with. The adverts are designed to undo any damage to Samsung's reputation after Apple accused the Korean manufacturer of "slavishly copying" the design and even the packaging of the iPad.

Ruling on the case, Judge Birss decided that Samsung did not copy the iPad -- but in the same breath wiped the smile off Samsung's face by asserting that Samsung kit lacks Apple's "understated and extreme simplicity", hilariously adding Samsung is "not as cool."

And Judge Birss has wiped any trace of a smirk from Apple's collective face with today's unusual order. Sure, it's a bit daft to give a monolithic corporation human emotions, but it's hard to picture any company that takes itself as seriously as Apple. Anyone who believes Apple is excessively litigious will no doubt see this as delicious hubris, or at least irresistibly funny.

In another US case, a judge ruled that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 used similar ideas to the iPad, but Apple had no right to patent those ideas in the first place because they're too obvious. Patent disputes continue between the two companies in courtrooms around the world.

Should Apple apologise? Who's come out best from the patent squabble? And what should Apple say? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.