Samsung infringed Apple patents – US judge


14 Oct 2011

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Wi-Fi

Although a California judge has ruled that Samsung’s tablet computers infringe patents owned by Apple, she also said it is up to Apple to prove the validity of those patents if it wants to win an injunction preventing the sale of the Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Apple has claimed the Galaxy range of tablet computers copies its own tablet, the iPad, and iPhone smartphone.

The company has sought to ban the sale of the Samsung Galaxy S 4G smartphone and Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the US, but US mobile networks opposed the move, saying it could impact Christmas season sales.

The disputed patents in this most recent ruling include three covering design – including the exterior look of the device – and a ‘list scrolling patent’ which relates to how users view documents, BBC reported.

Samsung argued Apple’s claims are invalid due to previously registered patents relating to design elements and functionality.

Apple and Samsung have been waging patent battles in several countries since April, with each company accusing the other of patent infringements.

Just this past week, an Australian court has temporarily banned the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the country.