Samsung has lost the latest round of patent wars against Apple after a German appeals court ruled this morning that the Galaxy Tab 7.7 tablet infringes on the iPad's design, banning it from sale in the EU.
The Dusseldorf Higher Court rejected Apple's complaints regarding the revised Galaxy Tab 10.1N, saying the changes were distinctive enough to prevent anyone mistaking at as an iPad. The original Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet was banned from sale in the country last year for looking too much like the US outfit's slate.
"Samsung is disappointed with the court's ruling," it said in a statement. "We will continue to take all available measures, including legal action, to protect our intellectual property rights and defend against Apple's claims to ensure our products remain available to consumers throughout the European Union."
It goes against a ruling in the British courts earlier this month, in which Judge Birss QC said the Galaxy Tab was not as "cool" as the iPad and that informed buyers would realize the difference. Last week he ordered Apple to display notices on its UK-website and media outlets that Samsung had not copied the iPad. At this point, it's unclear what impact the German ruling will have on UK sales.
"Samsung welcomes the court's ruling which confirms our position that the Galaxy Tab 10.1N does not infringe Apple's intellectual property and does not infringe laws against unfair competition," said Samsung. "Should Apple continue to make legal claims based on such a generic design patent, design innovation and progress in the industry could be restricted."