Samsung tablets don't copy Apple's iPad, says a UK court -- because they're "not as cool". In a supreme example of the fine art of the back-handed compliment, Judge Colin Biriss ruled that Samsung tablets are indeed different to Apple tablets, in that they don't have anything like the "understated and extreme simplicity possessed by the Apple design". Er... yay, Samsung?
If there's anyone who knows cool, it's High Court judges, right? The judge noted that the similarity between the tablets when viewed from the front is "really very striking". But that was not enough to convince the court Samsung had ripped off Apple's design.
The makers of the Galaxy Tab told us: "Samsung welcomes today's judgement, which affirms our position that our Galaxy Tab products do not infringe Apple's registered design right. As the ruling proves, the origins of Apple's registered design features can be found in numerous examples of prior art."
Referring to other similar legal battles, Samsung continued that, "Should Apple continue to make excessive legal claims in other countries based on such generic designs, innovation in the industry could be harmed and consumer choice unduly limited."
The two companies are locked in bitter legal warfare in courtrooms around the world, with both sides trading blows such as bans on particular phones and tablets, including the Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy Tab 10.1. The dispute began when Apple accused Samsung of outright copying, right down to the Tab's packaging, but has since been pared down to a disagreement over technical patents.
It isn't just Samsung bearing the brunt of Apple's ire -- Apple has launched patent challenges against several manufacturers of Android kit, including HTC and Motorola, after Apple co-founder Steve Jobs declared "thermonuclear war" against Android.
After a British judge ruled in HTC's favour in another patent dispute, this is the second defeat for Apple in UK law in the past week.
In light of a Dutch court recently ordering Apple to compensate Samsung and a US judge lambasting the California company's "frivolous filings", it seems the tide of these patent disputes is turning against Apple -- but a lot rides on the US case taking place later this month.
Is this the end for Apple's patent disputes? With the judge's words ringing in our ears, is this a pyrrhic victory for Samsung? Deliver your verdict in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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sfdgoz 9 July, 2012 16:47
That is outrageous!!!! (the judge obviously has a an Ipad)
anonymous 9 July, 2012 17:14
It's becoming increasingly clear that European courts are judging these cases on the evidence before them and are reaching a carefully considered verdict which is fair and impartial. US courts on the other hand, are also judging the cases on the evidence and then simply offer their carefully considered verdict..............in favour of whichever of the companies happens to be American.
Aaron Lothian 9 July, 2012 19:22
The judge is obviously channeling their younger teenager daughter/son here. If cool means gloriously hyped and fashionably over-priced then he is right. Otherwise that's not really a legal term innit.
I believe the legal term maybe something like Hoc tabula frigus non ut.
anonymous 10 July, 2012 09:39
haha funniest court case ive ever seen! the way samsung just shrug it off is classic! "Samsung welcomes today's judgement" LOL!!
anonymous 10 July, 2012 09:49
I read some of the articles about this and I thought that some of the stuff said must have been tongue in cheek. I cannot believe the kind of things that Apple are claiming as innovation, it's mind boggling. I'm just glad that European courts are actually bothering to look at the industry pre-iPhone and pre-iPad and seeing how many of Apples 'innovations' were used well before they used them.
This whole thing is utterly embarrassing now, and this case is a great example of why. The judge's comments and Samsung's comments are essential reading as to why Apple need to calm down over this and just get back to work.