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Apple has to publish notice that Samsung didn't copy the iPad

A UK judge ordered the iPad maker to put a notice on its website and in the British newspapers informing folks that Samsung did not rip off the tablet's design.

Donna Tam Staff Writer / News
Donna Tam covers Amazon and other fun stuff for CNET News. She is a San Francisco native who enjoys feasting, merrymaking, checking her Gmail and reading her Kindle.
Donna Tam
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A U.K. judge ordered Apple to publish a notice on its UK website and in British newspapers informing the public that Samsung did not copy the iPad's design, Bloomberg reported today.

Judge Colin Birss said the notice should explain the court's July 9 decision that Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablets do not infringe on Apple's design.

The notice is to be posted for six months and published in several newspapers and magazines to save Samsung's image. Apple's lawyer tried to argue that it would be like the company having to publish an advertisement for its competitor, but apparently the judge thought saving Samsung's reputation was more important.

Birss may have dinged Samsung's image a bit himself in his July 6 ruling, when he said consumers are unlikely to be confused because the Samsung tablets are "not as cool," as the iPad.

The judge didn't grant Samsung's request to block Apple from making public statements that the Galaxy infringed Apple's design, saying the company is entitled to its opinion.