Samsung has lost a major battle in its patent feud with Apple today. The AFP is reporting that a German court has now ruled in Apple"s favor concerning Samsung"s Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet. Judge Johanna Brueckner-Hoffmann ruled that Samsung has violated Apple"s patents on the design and user interface for Apple"s iPad. Brueckner-Hoffmann said there was a "clear impression of similarity" between the two tablets. As a result, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 has been banned from sale in Germany.
In a statement, Samsung said, "We are disappointed with this ruling and believe it severely limits consumer choice in Germany. Samsung will actively and immediately appeal this ruling to protect our intellectual property rights." Apple has yet to issue an official comment on the court"s ruling.
Several weeks ago, a German court had decided that it would grant an injunction against selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in most of Europe. Later that decision was reversed, with another court decision saying that the injunction could only affect Germany. Last week, Samsung showed off a smaller Galaxy Tab 7.7 tablet at the IFA trade show in Berlin, but thanks to Apple, the company was forced to remove the tablet and all signage relating to the product from the show floor.
Apple could use today"s decision as a precedent in its many other legal battles against Samsung. The company already has won an injunction against selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in Australia and has similar court battles in other countries, including the US.