UPDATE: We’ve been in contact with Samsung UK, who told Recombu that:
“Today’s ruling is an affirmation that the GALAXY range of products is innovative and distinctive. With regard to the single infringement cited in the ruling, we will take all possible measures including legal action to ensure that there is no disruption in the availability of our GALAXY smartphones to Dutch consumers.
“This ruling is not expected to affect sales in other European markets. Samsung has a proud history of innovation in the mobile industry.
“We will continue our plans to introduce new products and technologies that meet and exceed consumer expectations. And we will defend our intellectual property rights through the ongoing legal proceedings around the world.”
So it looks like that Galaxy S2 you were eyeing up is still safe. For now.
A judge in the Netherlands has ruled that Samsung has copied ‘slavishly’ Apple’s iPhone 3GS when it designed and created the Samsung Galaxy S2, S and Ace Android smartphones.
This is the latest outcome, following a German court’s ruling that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 was too similar to the iPad, and was withdrawn from sale (though that has been temporarily lifted.)
The patents in question include 2,058,868, involving the phones’ scrolling method, 2,098,948 that covers the function of “recording a flag in connection with multiple screen taps,” and the sliding unlock function , 1,964,022.
According the report (and it’s a long one) the ban looks like it’ll remain in effect until 13th October 2011. We’ll admit there’s more than a passing resemblence, but much of the patent finger-pointing could be directed to any Android smartphone.
Via: Engadget
Source Rechtspraak
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