Apple wins Dutch ban on certain Samsung Galaxy devices
A court in the Netherlands ruled that some older Samsung mobile products infringe on Apple technology for scrolling through photo galleries.
The ban applies to older Samsung Android-based products that use an Apple-patented method for scrolling through images in a photo gallery using a touch screen. According to the court, those are Samsung's Galaxy device versions 2.2.1 and higher that don't use Samsung's updated "blue flash" photo gallery technology.
The two companies have been in a constant battle over patents related to the mobile market. So far, neither has emerged as the clear victor. Apple won a big battle versus Samsung in the U.S., with a jury determining Samsung violated some Apple patents and ordering the Korean company to pay $1.05 billion in damages. But Apple has lost other cases against Samsung and other Android makers in foreign markets, and there are likely to be many appeals and other suits before the rivalry is resolved.
Just last month, a Dutch court ruled that Samsung didn't violate a patentApple holds on the so-called pinch-to-zoom feature in mobile software. The feature, which allows users to employ their two fingers to zoom in or out, is a central component in mobile operating systems today.The Dutch court today ruled that Samsung must pay Apple 100,000 euros each day it violates the ruling. Samsung also must disclose how much profit it has made from the infringing products since late June 2011, and a court will later determine what percentage of the profit Apple should receive.
We've reached out to Apple and Samsung and will update when we hear back.
(via Computerworld)
The ruling is the latest in a long line of disputes in courts across the globe as the rivals fight for dominance in the smart phone and tablet-computer markets.
