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Samsung withdraws Galaxy Tab 7.7 from IFA after new ban
by Neka Sehgal - September 5, 2011 - comments
The latest fallout is a huge blow to the South Korean electronics company which is engaged in legal battle with Apple over claims that Samsung devices infringe Apple design patents.
Samsung Electronics is not showcasing its latest Galaxy Tab 7.7 at the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) in Berlin, the biggest consumer electronics trade fair in Europe.
The electronics giant has pulled the new tablet computer from the company’s booth at the ongoing annual trade show after Apple won a preliminary injunction blocking its sale and marketing in Germany.
However, the court ruling is applicable only to Germany and no other countries are affected by this ban.
Samsung Electronics' Spokesman James Chung stated, "Samsung respects the Dusseldorf court's decision made on September 2 and therefore decided not to display any more the Galaxy Tab 7.7 at IFA.
"However, we believe it severely limits consumer choice in Germany. Samsung will pursue all available measures, including legal options."
The two companies first clashed in April when Apple filed a suit against Samsung in the United States, accusing the Korean company of blatantly copying the design and technology of its iPad and iPhone.
Apple Samsung war
The latest fallout is a huge blow to the South Korean electronics company which is engaged in legal battle with Apple over claims that Samsung devices infringe Apple design patents.
The Dusseldorf court had prohibited sale and promotion of Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany in August. The ban was originally intended for whole of Europe, but later the same court limited it only to Germany.
Galaxy Tab 10.1 is still locked in a legal tussle with rival Apple, which claims that Samsung had copied the touchscreen technology of iPad.
A final ruling in the case is expected on Sept. 9.
Legal spats across the globe
Dusseldorf is not the only place Apple and Samsung are battling it out in court. The two companies first clashed in April when Apple filed a suit against Samsung in the United States, accusing the Korean company of blatantly copying the design and technology of its iPad and iPhone.
In April, Apple filed 16 claims against Samsung. Since then, legal spats between the two have surfaced across the globe.
On Aug. 24, a Netherlands judge banned imports of three Samsung smartphones for infringing Apple's patent.
Also, the launch of the latest version of its Galaxy tablet in Australia has been delayed until a final judgment on the patent infringement case.