Apple wins: Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 banned in Germany

A court in Dusseldorf has today ruled in favour of Apple, banning Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 from going on sale in Germany.

The German court ruled that ‘informed customers’ were of the ‘overall impression’ that Samsung’s 10.1-inch tablet was designed to look like a ‘minimalist iPad’ – due to its striking similarities with the Apple iPad 2.

“The court is of the opinion that Apple’s minimalist design is not the only technical solution to make a tablet computer. Other designs are possible,” Judge Ms Brückner-Hofmann said.

It’s not all good news for Apple, though. The judge limited the ban to Germany and not the whole of Europe – which was what the Cupertino-firm had originally demanded.  This means UK sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 won’t be affected, for those of you keen to get your hands on the Android Honeycomb slate.

Samsung commented on the hearing: “We are disappointed with this ruling and believe it severely limits consumer choice in Germany. We will take all available legal options including continuing to aggressively pursue Apple for its ongoing violation of Samsung’s wireless technology patents around the world.”

Earlier this week in a separate injunction Samsung had to remove the Galaxy Tab 7.7 from its stand at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin – just days after the tablet got official.

[Source: Computerworld]