Apple Scores Dutch Ban on Older Samsung Galaxy Products
Apple has won another round in its interminable legal melee with Samsung.
A Dutch court on Wednesday found that some Samsung Galaxy devices that run Android 2.2.1 and higher infringe an Apple patent describing a means of navigating images in a photo gallery. And when Samsung refused to sign a declaration of abstinence pledging no further infringement of the patent, the presiding judge issued a ban on infringing devices. Samsung must also, within eight weeks, tell Apple how much net profit it made from sales of those devices since June 27, 2011; that number is to be used in determining damages. If it fails to do so, it must pay Apple $129,000 until it does.
So, another legal blow for Samsung, though not a particularly devastating one. The company has already designed around the Apple patent at issue here, so most of its newer devices aren’t in violation of it. If any Galaxy products end up being pulled off the market, they’ll likely be older ones.
“Samsung is disappointed with the court’s ruling. Apple has been trying to limit consumer choice and discourage innovation through their excessive and flawed legal arguments,” the company said in a statement. “We remain confident that our products are unique, and we will continue to take all available measures to protect consumer choice in the Netherlands.”
Apple declined comment.
And on it goes …