Apple, Samsung to return to Aussie court

Samsung and Apple Australia are set to return to the Federal Court in Sydney on Monday to determine the next step in Apple's patent war against the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1(Credit: Samsung)

Apple Australia first took the case to court three weeks ago, claiming that Samsung had infringed on several of its key patents with its Galaxy Tab 10.1, including the "slide to unlock" feature to gain access to the device, as well as the pinch-to-zoom and edge-bounce features for viewing images and reading documents.

Samsung defended itself by telling the court that Apple had been studying a unit sold in the US. The companies entered into a legal compromise whereby Samsung would provide Apple Australia with three Galaxy Tab 10.1 units seven days before the intended local release date for a detailed and highly confidential study to get the record straight.

Until then, Samsung would have to freeze its plans for local release.

Justice Annabelle Bennett said in the initial hearing that unless the two parties could resolve their differences before 29 August, which is this coming Monday, they would return to the court for a further directions hearing.

Justice Bennett added that the case could bring with it hefty fines for Samsung if it went Apple's way.

A hearing between the two parties is listed on Monday's court proceedings. While it isn't unusual for listings to be cancelled on the day, if it went ahead, it would be in keeping with Apple's global offensive against the intellectual property in the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Apple Australia declined to comment on the hearing, and Samsung did not respond to requests for comment at the time of writing.