Samsung Galaxy Tab Europe Ban Is Lifted





The ban on the sale in most of Europe of Samsung's new Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer has been temporarily lifted by a judge in Germany.

It was imposed when Apple claimed Samsung had "slavishly" copied the design of the iPad.

But you won't be surprised to hear it's not as simple as it sounds. The ban is still in force in Germany. The judge lifted it in other European countries after questions were raised over whether the Dusseldorf court had the right to instigate an EU-wide ban.

And the lifting is temporary, while both sides argue their case.

Just to add to the complication, Apple didn't ask for The Netherlands to be included in the original ban because it's pursuing a more draconian clampdown there mainly because the counrty's ports are used to import most electrical goods into the EU.

But it does mean Samsung can now continue to distribute the Galaxy Tab in most EU countries - until the judge in Dusseldorf makes a final decision or until a judge in Holland decides to ban the importing of the Tab.

This follows claims that Apple's evidence of the similarity of both devices was "doctored". It's claimed the photo of the Samsung device shown to the judge was "squashed" to make it look more like the iPad.

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