Samsung barred from selling tablet in EU

Apple has dealt another blow in its legal battle against Samsung, with a court prohibiting Samsung from selling its Galaxy Tab 10.1 anywhere in the EU except the Netherlands.

 

A German court has agreed to Apple's request for a preliminary injunction on sales of the device, Reuters reports. 

 

Because the ruling was an intellectual property and not a patent decision, it can be enforced EU-wide, according to technology patent blogger Florian Mueller. He said Apple also has a lawsuit underway in the one exception to the rule, the Netherlands.

 

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 was in the middle of being rolled out in Europe, having launched in Britain last week. This ruling has thrown a spanner into the works.

 

The order comes days after Samsung agreed not to launch the device in Australia, in response to an Apple court filing requesting an injunction.

 

Apple first sued Samsung in April, alleging that the Galaxy line of smartphones and tablets “slavishly” copies the iPhone and iPad design.

 

As well as the European and Australian complaints, Apple has sued in markets including South Korea and the US. The US International Trade Commission this month agreed to investigate the claims.

 

Samsung has denied the allegations, and counter-sued Apple alleging patent infringements in June.