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Jul 18 AT 3:29 PM Nick Gray 40 Comments

Apple ordered to publish notice that Samsung’s Galaxy Tab doesn’t copy the iPad

android-vs-apple

A few weeks back, a UK judge ruled that the Samsung galaxy Tab was “not as cool” as the iPad and dismissed Apples claims that Samsung had copied the design of its tablet. While Samsung may have been offended by the backhanded victory it was given, we’re fairly certain that their lawyers and executives are popping open the champagne bottles after hearing today’s news.

In order to fix the “damaging impression the South Korea-based company was copying Apple’s product” Apple will be required to post a notice in newspapers, magazines and on its UK website which states that the Samsung Galaxy Tab does not copy Apple’s iPad design. The notice will refer to the July 9th court ruling and will be posted on the home page of Apple’s website for six months.

While the patent system may be completely screwed up, we’re glad to see judges handing out unusual punishments to those who initiate the lawsuits. There’s no telling how this outcome will affect the sales of the iPad or the Galaxy Tab, but we’re sure Apple will be a little more careful next time they try to sue their competition in the UK.

Via: Engadget

Source: Bloomberg

Nick is a tech enthusiast who has a soft spot for HTC and its devices. Nick joined the Android and Me family in the summer of 2010.

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  • oddball

    Most entertaining news of the day. Although I must admit that a judge ruling a product not cool enough to be a copy doesn’t fill me with confidence

    • Triplanetary

      Well, I recall that Capcom, publishers of the Xbox 360 game Dead Rising, were once sued by the rights holders of Romero’s original Dawn of the Dead, because the game supposedly stole the plot of the movie. (Their main reasoning being that the game also takes place in a shopping mall.)

      The judge’s decision was that it wasn’t a copyright infringement because the game’s story was much shallower and less intelligent than the movie’s. I’m sure Capcom was like, “Yay…? We won…?”

      • inviolable

        lol that’s hilarious

    • elijahblake

      a better ruling would have been to make apple list the Samsung Tab on their online store right next to the Ipad with the price of the Tab and say that it didn’t copy as well…

  • shadhussain

    oh boy, all those granny smith apples just turned red …

  • redraider133

    It seems the judges are beginning to show apple now ridiculous their constant lawsuits are and trying to do something they feel may slow down apples lawsuit attempts. If only US judges would be the same way.

  • spazby

    very unorthodox, was not able to stop laughing for a while

    • kazahani

      Right there with you.

      Fucking hilarious, and I love it.

  • virexed

    This made my day.
    In my best Nelson Muntz voice (from The Simpsons)… HA HA!

  • Skis03

    I hope this one sticks! I will love to see that!

  • http://facebook.com/jestertx2001 Jesse Moreno

    Apple has the opportunity to spin this in such a way that would make them appear mature and humble to the public in apologizing to Samsung. Buuuut I think instead they’ll paraphrase the judge’s words and further patronize Samsung in the public notices.

    What do you think?

  • Kevs87

    Finally a non apple biased judge…

  • dVyper

    While I dislike Apple I think the ruling is just plain weird.

    • masterpfa

      When ones name and integrity has been dragged through the mud and in the worlds press as these actions and false claims have been, by being broadcast world wide, it is only fair, that the apology and withdrawal of these claims are themselves, made public.

      • izzo

        get out of here, 2 multibillion dollar companies who care nothing about us, gimme a break

  • masterpfa

    Great day today for me personally
    First delivery of my Nexus 7 and now this.

    I think the British Courts have shown the rest of the world how to deal with these ridiculous litigations. All we need are for the judges in US to also grow a pair and show such claims the door and punishment administered on wrongly filed claims (so to discourage further such actions).

  • Derrick Bezt

    Sadly American law and decisions are not as mature as the British ones are. So decisions like these will seem out of the blue. The sickening state on patent law is only going to be change depending on our determination to affect change. If we want it we can have it.

  • http://facebook.com/jestertx2001 Jesse Moreno

    Whoa I totally did not know that. This judge is serrious. O_O

    • http://facebook.com/jestertx2001 Jesse Moreno

      *Neo Woah*

  • Christopher Wueste

    I say that when Apple releases their new Iphone with a slightly larger, more than likely 4-4.3″ screen, that Samsung and all other android oem’s should sue for copying them as they had the large screens first. Just saying.

  • skyflakes

    HA. HA. HA.

  • Max.Steel

    Let’s not celebrate too quick! Apple Granted UI Patent That Could Spell Big Trouble for Competitors: http://www.technobuffalo.com/companies/apple/apple-granted-ui-patent-that-could-spell-big-trouble-for-competitors/

    • http://facebook.com/jestertx2001 Jesse Moreno

      Yes this is total suckage. :(

    • Stella

      Wow, we know Apple will abuse this patent. :(

    • Max.Steel

      Why am I getting thumbs down?

      • clocinnorcal

        Because people are lame and don’t read past the first line. I tried to even you out bro. I can only vote up once per post :(

  • uknowme

    Sweet!

  • Stella

    Too funny. I can’t wait to see the screenshots on Apple.com.

  • Dan13

    Justice sweet justice.

  • Voliam

    How about the court ordering Apple to redesign their logo- with a SECOND BITE out of that apple!

  • OnIn2

    No mention of Samsung yet on the Apple UK web site

  • NeedName

    here’s an interesting article going through the form factors of tablets leading up to the ipad. . . and when we throw in this “prototype” we can see that the ipad is nothing more than a copycat of everything that came before with current tech added.

    http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/10-memorable-milestones-in-tablet-history-924916#article-comments

  • MoSDeeb

    That is a comical ruling to say the least. I’ll be checking out the page once Apple has created such an apology haha

  • ldb
  • Aapo

    So funny i laughed in the bus when I read it haha,

  • jonathan3579

    Serves ‘em right!

  • http://www.focuszonedevelopment.com Homncruse

    Excellent. They can place the Samsung ad right next to their lovely pictures of stallions.

  • awundrin

    This is great! That judge obviously has an android phone. haha! Glad to see Apple being forced to eat some humble apple pie for a change.