Court quashes Apple move to stop Samsung Galaxy sales

APPLE has lost a request for a court order in its attempt to block sales of Samsung's 4G smartphone and Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer, according to a ruling that was posted on a court docket and then removed.

By InvestSMART · 5 Dec 2011

By InvestSMART ·
5 Dec 2011

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The iPad maker, in its lawsuit filed in a federal court in San Jose, California, sought an order blocking Samsung from selling its Galaxy line of mobile devices in the US based on claims they violate Apple patents. The lawsuit is part of a legal battle between the companies being fought in 10 countries, including Australia, where the High Court on Friday granted Apple a further delay of court orders overturning an earlier ruling which banned the device from sale.

Samsung said in a statement that the US federal court ruling confirmed its long-held view that Apple's arguments lacked merit.

"In particular, the court has recognised that Samsung has raised substantial questions about the validity of certain of Apple's design patents," the statement said.

The two companies have filed at least 30 lawsuits against each other, Samsung said. The conflict began in April, when Apple filed the San Jose lawsuit claiming the South Korean company's Galaxy devices copied the iPhone and iPad.

"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," a spokeswoman for Apple, Kristin Huguet, said on Saturday.

The suits between the companies are made more complex by their relationship: Samsung is the second-largest component supplier for Apple and gets about 7.6 per cent of its total revenue from selling memory chips, displays and other components for the iPhone and iPad.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What was the US court decision in Apple’s attempt to block Samsung Galaxy sales?

A US federal court in San Jose denied Apple’s request for a court order to block sales of Samsung’s 4G smartphone and the Galaxy Tab 10.1. The ruling was briefly posted on the court docket and later removed, but the request to halt sales was not granted.

Why did Samsung say the US court ruling was important for its case against Apple?

Samsung said the federal court ruling confirmed its view that Apple’s arguments lacked merit and noted the court recognised Samsung had raised substantial questions about the validity of certain Apple design patents.

Where else are Apple and Samsung fighting legal battles besides the US?

The legal dispute between Apple and Samsung is being fought in 10 countries, including Australia, where the High Court granted Apple a further delay of court orders that had overturned an earlier ban on sales of the device.

How many lawsuits have Apple and Samsung filed against each other?

According to the article, the two companies have filed at least 30 lawsuits against each other since the conflict began.

What prompted the legal conflict between Apple and Samsung?

The conflict began in April when Apple filed a lawsuit in San Jose claiming Samsung’s Galaxy devices copied the iPhone and iPad in design and user interface.

How does Samsung’s role as an Apple supplier complicate the patent fight?

The suits are complicated by the companies’ business relationship: Samsung is Apple’s second-largest component supplier and earns about 7.6% of its total revenue from selling memory chips, displays and other components for the iPhone and iPad.

What specific design complaints did Apple make about Samsung’s Galaxy products?

Apple’s spokeswoman Kristin Huguet said Samsung’s latest products resemble the iPhone and iPad in hardware shape, user interface and even packaging — a key part of Apple’s design-patent claims.

What should everyday investors take away from the Apple vs Samsung legal battle?

Everyday investors should note the dispute is extensive and international, involves design-patent questions and supplier ties, and could create ongoing legal and commercial complexities given Samsung’s role as a major component supplier to Apple.