Apple Inc. must publish a notice on
their company web site for six months period acknowledging that, Samsung did
not copy iPad’s design to produce Galaxy Tab range. The US firm also requires putting
the same announcement in various magazines and newspapers, A UK judge made this
ruling recently. News agency Bloomberg reported.
It follows Apple’s failed attempt
against Samsung over blocking the Korean firm from selling their Android
powered Galaxy tablet series. Apple's lawyer, Richard Hacon, said the ruling
was prejudicial since the US firm was being enforced to run "an
advertisement" for competitor Samsung. He told in the court: “No company
likes to refer to a rival on its website.” Apple is likely to appeal against this
ruling.
"Should Apple continue to make
excessive legal claims based on such generic designs, innovation in the
industry could be harmed and consumer choice unduly limited." said a
Samsung spokesman.
Samsung also tried to convince the court to rule a ban on Apple to prevent them saying that the Galaxy Tab’s design is copy of iPad although court did not grant it.
Few days ago Apple suffered a defeat in less than one week in the UK high court. The High Court ruled the much discussed iPad - Galaxy Tab design copying war which tells that, Samsung’s respective tablet range does not illegally copy the “cooler” iPad’s minimalist design.
Last year, Apple accused Samsung that they have “slavishly” copied iPad design while making Galaxy Tab series. In yesterday’s Judgment in UK High court, Judge Colin Birss QC held “They do not have the same understated and extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design,” Judge Colin Birss QC said.
“They are not as cool. The overall impression produced is different.”
This ruling means Apple would not be able to block Galaxy Tab sales on the ground which is closely take after iPad.
The judge said while the detailing Samsung’s designs, “When I first saw the Samsung products in this case I was struck by how similar they look to the Apple design when they are resting on a table,”
“They look similar because they both have the same front screen. It stands out.”
He also said, “informed users” would be able to spot the difference.
“From the front they belong to the family which includes the Apple design; but the Samsung products are very thin, almost insubstantial members of that family with unusual details on the back,” the judgment added.