Samsung tablet ban overturned by Australian court

Lee Bell
November 30, 2011
4 Comments

samsung Vs AppleRemember that time back in the slightly warmer days of October, when Apple launched its juicy injunction-bearing missiles upon Samsung and blocked the sales of its tablet computer, the Galaxy Tab 10.1, in Australia?

Well, looks like the South Korean gadget giant can once again get jiggy with it Down Under, after an Australian court today overturned the ban on the tablet sales in the country.

No longer can greedy Granny Smith accuse Sammy of copying its touch-screen technology. And you know why? Because Samsung has since redesigned its tablet. Yep, if you get in trouble for copy-cat behaviour, just change it.

A proudly-written statement by the company released today read: “Samsung Electronics Australia is pleased with today’s unanimous decision by the Federal Court to lift the preliminary injunction on sales of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.”

The overturning of the ban comes a great time too as it will surely provide a big boost to Samsung ahead of the Christmas shopping season. The Galaxy Tab gadget makers added: “We believe the ruling clearly affirms that Apple’s legal claims lack merit.”

However, it is reported by the BBC that Samsung will have to wait a few days before it can start selling the tablet again, as Justice Lindsay Foster granted a stay on the order until Friday, 2 December, 4pm Aussie time. Bet it’s pissed it missed out on the Black Friday and last payday before Christmas weekend. According to Justice Foster, Apple will have to appeal in the High Court if it wanted to extend the release date.

This one may be a win for Samsung but the patent proxy war isn’t over yet. Samsung has gotten many other injunctions to lift in other countries where Apple blocked its devices, such as Germany. But this victorious day represents nothing but a glimmer of hope for Sammy. And even if it isn’t as successful else where, it always has its lawsuits against Apple – claiming it infringed its 3G patents in its iPhone 4S – in Australia, Japan, France and Italy to fall back on.

We can only wait with baited breath for the next exciting instalment of the patent proxy wars.

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Tags: Apple, Article, Australia, Galaxy Tab, iPhone 4S, patent wars, samsung, Smartphone, Tablet
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