9 July 2012 12:11 GMT | By Rik Henderson | Pocket-lint
British Courts have decided that Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablet devices do not infringe Apple designs,
and the Korean company has released a statement to Pocket-lint to explain all.
The High Court of England & Wales today stated that there are recognisable differences between the Galaxy
Tab 7.7, Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 8.9 tablets and the Apple iPads. Therefore, Samsung's devices are
free to remain on sale in the UK.
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=1-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/1-7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
The statement in full:
"In a ruling on July 9, 2012, the High Court of England & Wales sided with Samsung that the designs of the
Galaxy Tab series of products are 'different' from an Apple tablet design, and do not infringe Apple’s Registered
Community Design No. 181607-0001. Samsung products subject to this trial were the Galaxy Tab 10.1, the
Galaxy Tab 8.9, and the Galaxy Tab 7.7.
"Samsung had requested this voluntary trial in September 2011, in order to oppose Apple’s ongoing efforts to
reduce consumer choice and innovation in the tablet market through their excessive legal claims and arguments.
Apple has insisted that the three Samsung tablet products infringe several features of Apple’s design right,
such as 'slightly rounded corners,' 'a flat transparent surface without any ornamentation,' and 'a thin profile.'
"However, the High Court dismissed Apple’s arguments by referring to approximately 50 examples of prior art,
or designs that were previously created or patented, from before 2004. These include the Knight Ridder (1994),
the Ozolin (2004), and HP’s TC1000 (2003). The court found numerous Apple design features to lack originality,
and numerous identical design features to have been visible in a wide range of earlier tablet designs from before
2004.
"Equally important, the court also found distinct differences between the Samsung and Apple tablet designs,
which the court claimed were apparent to the naked eye. For instance, the court cited noticeable differences in
the front surface design and in the thinness of the side profile. The court found the most vivid differences in the
rear surface design, a part of tablets that allows designers a high degree of freedom for creativity, as there are
no display panels, buttons, or any technical functions. Samsung was recognised by the court for having leveraged
such conditions of the rear surface to clearly differentiate its tablet products through 'visible detailing.'
Pocket-lint is yet to hear from Apple on the ruling, but this must be considered a major victory for Samsung in
the worldwide court battles that have been raging for some while.
British Courts have decided that Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablet devices do not infringe Apple designs,
and the Korean company has released a statement to Pocket-lint to explain all.
The High Court of England & Wales today stated that there are recognisable differences between the Galaxy
Tab 7.7, Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 8.9 tablets and the Apple iPads. Therefore, Samsung's devices are
free to remain on sale in the UK.
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=1-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/1-7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
The statement in full:
"In a ruling on July 9, 2012, the High Court of England & Wales sided with Samsung that the designs of the
Galaxy Tab series of products are 'different' from an Apple tablet design, and do not infringe Apple’s Registered
Community Design No. 181607-0001. Samsung products subject to this trial were the Galaxy Tab 10.1, the
Galaxy Tab 8.9, and the Galaxy Tab 7.7.
"Samsung had requested this voluntary trial in September 2011, in order to oppose Apple’s ongoing efforts to
reduce consumer choice and innovation in the tablet market through their excessive legal claims and arguments.
Apple has insisted that the three Samsung tablet products infringe several features of Apple’s design right,
such as 'slightly rounded corners,' 'a flat transparent surface without any ornamentation,' and 'a thin profile.'
"However, the High Court dismissed Apple’s arguments by referring to approximately 50 examples of prior art,
or designs that were previously created or patented, from before 2004. These include the Knight Ridder (1994),
the Ozolin (2004), and HP’s TC1000 (2003). The court found numerous Apple design features to lack originality,
and numerous identical design features to have been visible in a wide range of earlier tablet designs from before
2004.
"Equally important, the court also found distinct differences between the Samsung and Apple tablet designs,
which the court claimed were apparent to the naked eye. For instance, the court cited noticeable differences in
the front surface design and in the thinness of the side profile. The court found the most vivid differences in the
rear surface design, a part of tablets that allows designers a high degree of freedom for creativity, as there are
no display panels, buttons, or any technical functions. Samsung was recognised by the court for having leveraged
such conditions of the rear surface to clearly differentiate its tablet products through 'visible detailing.'
Pocket-lint is yet to hear from Apple on the ruling, but this must be considered a major victory for Samsung in
the worldwide court battles that have been raging for some while.
