The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 has been cleared to return to shops -- for now. The Android-powered tablet is banned across Europe in a legal dispute with Apple, but amid accusations of shenanigans, 10.1 has been granted a temporary reprieve.
The 10.1 was banned from sale in Europe until an EU court could make a decision about Apple's claim that the Galaxy range copies the iPhone and iPad. Concerns have surfaced over Apple's evidence that highlights the similarities between the two tablets, but it's questions over the court's jurisdiction that have relaxed the injunction against the 10.1.
The preliminary injunction, granted last week by a court in Düsseldorf, is still in place, but is now only to be enforced in Germany. It won't be enforced anywhere else for the time being, meaning you should be able to buy a Tab 10.1 between now and the actual court hearing on 25 August.
The injunction doesn't apply to the Netherlands, where Apple is brewing separate legal proceedings. The Dutch dust-up will be decided on 15 September.
The temporary easing of the injunction appears to be linked to a legal issue over the jurisdiction of the court. Apple is in a scrap with two branches of Samsung: Samsung's European mothership, and Samsung's German offshoot. The German court has authority over the Germany subsidiary, but isn't sure about its ability to make a cross-border ruling for the whole of the continent.
Legal-eagle blog Florian Mueller at Foss Patents speculates the issue may be the translation of the German word 'Niederlassung', which may or may not refer to Samsung's subsidiary companies. Thrilling stuff, you'll agree -- we're waiting for Steve Jobs to take the stand and yell, "You can't handle the truth!"
The case arrives in court on 25 August.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters 
Comments 12
Add your comment
anonymous 16 August, 2011 17:14
Excellent - when the case is heard again and the court is made aware of the false "evidence" put forward by Crapple (namely a completely wrong image of the Tab used for comparison to the iPad) it will be thrown out for good!
anonymous 16 August, 2011 17:14
Excellent - when the case is heard again and the court is made aware of the false "evidence" put forward by Crapple (namely a completely wrong image of the Tab used for comparison to the iPad) it will be thrown out for good!
anonymous 16 August, 2011 17:15
Excellent - when the case is heard again and the court is made aware of the false "evidence" put forward by Crapple (namely a completely wrong image of the Tab used for comparison to the iPad) it will be thrown out for good!
Andyt95 16 August, 2011 18:57
The false evidence 'claim' has not yet been acted on by either Samsung or Apple. Samsung and Google are most likely planning a 'Apple did this intentionally' plead to the court, and will be holding the charge of perverting the course of justice against Apple. Apple will most likely try to wiggle their way out of it like the slimy b@51ards they are and claim that it was an accident.
But seriously, if you have some of the highest paid lawyers in the world, what are the chances that they'd make a mistake like that? "Oh we just grabbed an incorrect image off the internet" no, no you didn't.
I really hope Apple don't get away with this, it'll be good to see their stupid claims backfire.
anonymous 16 August, 2011 22:26
Stick it to 'em Samsung. It's about time someone told Apple to get stuffed.
anonymous 17 August, 2011 00:04
I really liked the 10.1, I believe that it'll be good for the european market,to have it in sells.
anonymous 17 August, 2011 03:57
Apple have cried wolf too many times and it's time that thay where brout to justes
anonymous 17 August, 2011 07:18
I read on the BBC that the judge handed down his decision by physically examining both tablets and BBC also reports that this was the only image that was incorrect in the submission papers...not saying nothing dodgy went on but the original judgement isn't only about this one image...legal cases are far more complicated.
For those apple-haters do you really think that Samsung have employed cheap lawyers that they found in the yellow pages???
anonymous 17 August, 2011 16:56
Using the iPad isnt much fun, I borrowed one and its like being forced to work with just your left hand when you are right handed. Id go Samsung any day, especially when Apple are behaving like petulant kids.
anonymous 18 August, 2011 13:29
oh no... my monitor looks very similar to the one being used at work... it has 4 edges, a flat screen and a bezel... is a wonder apple are not suing other monitor makes
anonymous 23 August, 2011 02:04
In the end, I hope Apple get sued for distributing crippled devices.
Apple, you are only postponing the enevitable, your demise.
anonymous 23 August, 2011 02:07
Apple see the writing on the wall. It's too late Steve Jobs, you are finished this time you clown