Apple seeking injunction against most Samsung Android phones and tablets
Apple's previous injunction granted in Germany affected only certain Samsung devices, in particular the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet. That injunction barred the sale of these devices throughout the EU, but was eventually modified to only restrict sale in Germany due to jurisdictional issues.
This latest suit filed in The Hague has been discovered to cover all Samsung Galaxy products, both smartphones and tablets. Apple is asking for an injunction barring sale of the Galaxy S, Galaxy S II and the Galaxy Ace phones. Also affected are the entire line of tablets from Samsung, the Galaxy Tab and Galaxy Tab 10.1. The Nexus phones are mentioned in the suit as expected to be infringing on Apple's patents, too.
The Dutch court will be ruling on September 15 whether an injunction is warranted or not. The injunction would cover all of the EU, not only barring the sale of the devices mentioned but also demanding that Samsung have all inventory anywhere in the chain of distribution pulled back to the company and off the market. Retailers wouldn't be allowed to continue selling items currently on store shelves, they would be required to pull them and return them to Samsung within 14 days.
The judge in the Dutch court has indicated that no injunction granted would take place before October 13, making the timing of this action very critical for Samsung. The dates indicated for trial and injunction would cover the busy holiday shopping season, and not give Samsung time for appeal to prevent missing most of it.
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