It looks like Samsung may never get to sell the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany. An appeals court in Dusseldorf has upheld an injunction banning the device in the country after Apple's legal eagles filed suit against Samsung for infringing on its patents. According to the German court, the design of the Tab 10.1 is just too similar to Apple's popular tablet.
“The court is of the opinion that Apple’s minimalistic design isn’t the only technical solution to make a tablet computer, other designs are possible,” said Presiding Judge Johanna Brueckner-Hofmann said in the verdict. “For the informed customer there remains the predominant overall impression that the device looks [like the iPad].”
This is the second time the courts have ruled against Samsung on this case in Germany, so they're basically out of luck.
In Australia, too, Apple has successfully outlawed the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 on the same grounds. And the patent wars between the two companies aren't just over tablets: Apple recently sued Samsung in Japan over the design of its Galaxy S phones.
"Live and let live" is clearly not a part of the Apple credo.
