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Apple seeks EU-wide ban on Samsung's Galaxy line

Filing in The Netherlands seeks a ban on importation and sales of Galaxy smartphones and tablets, as well as a stock recall within 14 days, according to a Dutch publication.

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In its latest salvo in its case against Samsung Electronics in The Netherlands, Apple is seeking a European Union ban on the importation and sales of all Galaxy smartphones and tablets.

Apple's injunction, filed in The Hague district court, would affect the Galaxy Ace, Galaxy S, and Galaxy SII smartphones as well as the Galaxy Tab 7 and Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets, according Dutch publication Webwereld, which has reviewed the complaint (English translation).

The complaint also demands Samsung send a letter to distributors and resellers requesting that all stock be returned to Samsung "within 14 days" at Samsung's expense. Those who do not return their stock would be infringing on intellectual property rights, Apple said.

"For the record, we mention the fact that by the stock, the offering and/or selling said Galaxy smartphones [and tablets, red], infringes the intellectual property of Apple Inc.," Apple said in it complaint.

In response to the filing, Samsung sent CNET the following statement:

"Samsung will continue to actively defend and protect our intellectual property and to ensure our continued innovation and growth in the mobile communication business."

Apple representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Over the past several months, the two companies have been embroiled in litigation in which Apple alleges that Samsung illegally copied technology and design aspects of the iPad to create the Galaxy Tab.

Earlier this month, Apple scored a preliminary injunction from a German court that banned the Galaxy Tab 10.1 from nearly all European Union nations. This week, a German court lifted the ban against the Galaxy Tab in all EU countries except Germany, finding that the court does not have jurisdiction over countries outside its own.

That ruling allowed Galaxy sales to continue, at least until Apple and Samsung meet again in court on August 25 to present arguments over the future of Tab sales in Europe.

The battle is part of a wider conflict between Apple and the various companies supporting Android. With Google's mobile operating system gaining in popularity, Apple is attempting to take the wind out of Android's sails with lawsuits against several of its key supporters.