Galaxy Tab designs are different than the Apple iPad, says the courts in the United Kingdom. According to Judge Colin Birss, there are at least 50 design differences between the two tablets, which is music to Samsung’s ears, I’m sure. Apple, of course, is probably none too pleased with the ruling, as it gives their competitor an opportunity to snatch some of the market away. If you’re a Galaxy fan, your time to rejoice begins now.
Have a look at some text pulled straight from the ruling:
In a ruling on July 9, 2012, the High Court of England & Wales sided with Samsung that the designs of the Galaxy Tab series of products are ‘different’ from an Apple tablet design, and do not infringe Apple’s Registered Community Design No. 181607-0001. Samsung products subject to this trial were the Galaxy Tab 10.1, the Galaxy Tab 8.9, and the Galaxy Tab 7.7.”
Before you starting jutting your finger into the agitated face of the nearest Apple fanatic you can find, perhaps you should take Judge Birss’ entire ruling into consideration. Although he may have ruled in favor of the Samsung Galaxy on principle, he did offer some stronger words regarding which company does it better, regardless of how cool or uncool the device may be.
“[The Tab designs] do not have the same understated and extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design. They are not as cool,” the judge remarked. Like it or not, Samsung is now allowed to sell its tablet without any interference from Apple throughout the United Kingdom.
Apple, as you can imagine, isn’t too happy with the ruling. “This kind of blatant copying is wrong and, as we’ve said many times before, we need to protect Apple’s intellectual property when companies steal our ideas,” a representative from the company said.