Apple injunction blocks iPad rival's sales: Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 withdrawn from UK

Samsung vs Apple patent spat puts the mockers on the Tab 10.1...

Sale of a rival to Apple's iPad tablet has been blocked in the European Union after a German court granted Apple a preliminary injunction against the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

The would-be iPad killer only launched in the UK at the start of this month but the tablet has had to be withdrawn from sale in order to comply with the ruling made by the Düsseldorf Regional Court after Apple filed suit in Germany on 4 August.

Samsung has the option to appeal the German court's decision but its Galaxy Tab 10.1 can't be sold in the EU before or during any such appeal. Only the Netherlands is exempt from the court's ruling.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 - pictured above - can't be sold in the EU after a court rulingPhoto: Samsung

"We intend to act immediately to defend our intellectual property rights through the ongoing legal proceedings in Germany and will continue to actively defend these rights throughout the world," Samsung said.

"We will take all necessary measures to ensure Samsung's innovative mobile communications devices are available to customers in Europe and around the world."

Apple is also seeking to block sale of the Galaxy Tab and other devices from Samsung's Galaxy range in the US where the company filed suit against Samsung back in April in a California district court. Apple has also filed suit against Samsung in Australia, again blocking the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Apple's complaints against Samsung include patent infringement, unfair competition and trademark infringement in its Galaxy range of tablets and smartphones.

"Instead of pursuing independent product development, Samsung has chosen to slavishly copy Apple's innovative technology, distinctive user interfaces, and elegant and distinctive product and packaging design, in violation of Apple's valuable intellectual property rights," Apple claims in documents filed in the Californian court.

An Apple spokesman added in a statement: "It's no coincidence that Samsung's latest products look a lot like the iPhone and iPad, from the shape of the hardware to the user interface and even the packaging. This kind of blatant copying is wrong, and we need to protect Apple's intellectual property when companies steal our ideas."

Since Apple filed suit against it, Samsung has countersued Apple in Germany, Japan and South Korea claiming that the iPhone and iPad infringe several of its mobile technology patents.

"This decision by the court in Germany in no way influences other legal proceedings filed with the courts in Europe and elsewhere," Samsung said.