Samsung has won a major court battle today in its ongoing patent war against Apple. ZDNet Australia reports that the three judge panel in the Federal Court of Australia has unanimously overturned a previous court injunction that prevented Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet from being sold in that country.
The new ruling now allows the Android-powered tablet to be sold on store shelves in Australia, at least technically. Samsung was very pleased with the court's decision, saying in a statement, "We believe the ruling clearly affirms that Apple's legal claims lack merit."
Back in August, Apple got a lower court in Australia to ban the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet on the grounds that Samsung violated Apple's patents that it holds for its iPad tablet. Apple claimed that even the "look and feel" of the touch pad for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet was infringing on Apple's patents.
Today's new court decision may just be a temporary victory for Samsung. Apple's lawyers convinced the judges to issue a stay of orders until Friday so that Apple can launch an appeal of the decision to the High Court of Australia. If Friday's court ruling goes in Samsung's favor, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 could be on store shelves in that country in about a week. If the decision goes in Apple's favor, that means that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will miss the holiday shopping season in Australia.
Thanks to Neowin member rxsoob for sending in the tip.
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