Back in July, Apple lost a court battle in the U.K. against Samsung. Apple claimed that Samsung’s Galaxy Tab infringed on the iPad, but a judge ruled in favor of Samsung. They had appealed the order, but it now appears that they have lost.
One of the conditions for the ruling was that Apple would have to advertise for Samsung on the U.K. Apple website, stating something that would ensure customers that Samsung did not infringe on the iPad’s design. The advertisements would have to remain on the Apple U.K. website for a certain period of time.
It looks like that’s about to become a reality.
According to BBC News:
The US firm had previously been ordered to place a notice to that effect – with a link to the original judgement – on its website and place other adverts in the Daily Mail, Financial Times, T3 Magazine and other publications to “correct the damaging impression” that Samsung was a copycat.
The appeal judges decided not to overturn the decision on the basis that a related Apple design-rights battle in the German courts risked causing confusion in consumers’ minds.
“The acknowledgment must come from the horse’s mouth,” they said. “Nothing short of that will be sure to do the job completely.”
According to the appeals judge, the “advertisement” isn’t really much at all. According to the judge, Apple must display a “Samsung/Apple judgement” link for one month to satisfy their requirements. Not too shabby, but I’m guessing Apple isn’t too happy.
I had completely forgotten about this mess until now. Can we finally get over this stupid court battle and start worrying about more innovation, Samsung?
Source: BBC News via MacRumors
