The Samsung Galaxy Tab did not infringe on the design patents held by the Apple iPad, that according to a district court in The Hague.
The lawsuit in question focused on the Galaxy Tab’s rounded corners, specifically those found on the Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9, and Galaxy Tab 7.7.
Apple claimed that the rounded corners of the devices were a direct rip off of the company’s trademark iPad design.
Following the courts decision Samsung confirmed its own stance:
“We continue to believe that Apple was not the first to design a tablet with a rectangular shape and rounded corners and that the origins of Apple’s registered design features can be found in numerous examples.”
The Dutch courts ruling mirrors a similar decision handed down by British courts.
Apple has continued to hammer Samsung over its design, despite the fact that pretty much every other tablet designer uses the same design elements.
At this time, it is unclear if Apple will pursue an appeal in the Dutch patent lawsuit.
Apple and Samsung remain locked in patent design lawsuits in at least 10 countries. Apple’s biggest win to date came in the form of a $1.05 billion judgement against Samsung in the United States, that case is currently under review after the USPTO negated part of Apple’s patents and trademark claims.
Do you think Apple has erred in attempting to go after Samsung regarding the rounded corner designs of the iPad and Galaxy Tablets?