As part of the ongoing (and ridiculous) saga of what is fast becoming known as the Patent Wars, Apple has successfully blocked the sale of Samsung’s Galaxy 10.1 tablet in the European Union, with the Netherlands being the sole exception. Any violation of this ban carries a maximum penalty of over $350k and possible jail time for Samsung executives if they are found to be allowing the continuance of sales.
We don’t know just exactly what patent Apple is claiming Samsung has infringed here, but we’re assuming at least one of the complaints is the old “their product looks like ours” department.
It will take Samsung at least 4 weeks to be heard again before the same judge. While the decision is just about sure to be reversed over time, 4 weeks more of almost uncontested iPad 2 sales should make it all worth it for Apple.
Apple currently has a similar lawsuit running in the US, but the courts are yet to reach a verdict. Let's hope American customers end up being a little luckier than our European cousins and maintain access to this great device.
Hopefully this mess will be cleared up quickly, as the Patent Wars really are starting to go a bit far and in the end it’s the consumer who’s harmed; not just manufacturers like Samsung. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 really does look like a fantastic tablet and has received great reviews all across the world, so we doubt that Apple can really block its release too much longer. Until then EU customers will have to get their Galaxy Tab 10.1s from elsewhere, or just wait until things quiet down and the popular device finally sees an EU release.
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