German media blast sales ban on Samsung`s Galaxy Tab

German media have blasted a Dusseldorf court`s ban on the sale of the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 tablet computer, mentioning the flaws of the ruling.

German news channel N-TV ran Sept. 9 the segment "Apple succeeds in blocking Galaxy Tab, but ruling remains questionable." It said, "If you closely review Apple`s design documents, it is difficult to understand the ruling of the Dusseldorf court. After it turned out that the image for comparison presented by Apple as evidence was fabricated, Apple`s image was significantly tainted as well."

"Anyone who attended IFA in Berlin this month must have found numerous products that look similar to an iPad," the news channel said, adding, "Apple did not pay attention to Galaxy Tab when Samsung introduced the product, but it filed a lawsuit as Samsung made Galaxy 10.1 thinner and it seemed successful in the market."

"Samsung launched Galaxy Tab 10.1 on March 1 and many media covered the product. It is difficult to believe that Apple learned about Galaxy Tab 10.1 after July, and the lawsuit should be dropped because Apple`s lawsuit for a sales ban came too late."

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Germany`s biggest newspaper, said in the article "Apple beats Samsung in legal dispute over tablet PCs," cited what critics say on the Internet. "If Apples sues just because the tablet PCs of Samsung and HTC are like its iPad, it will be like Dunlop filing a lawsuit against Bridgestone for making round-shaped tires."

"Samsung said the preliminary sales ban limits customer choice and will appeal aggressively and immediately," the daily said, "The lawsuit in Dusseldorf is only a fraction of Samsung`s legal disputes across the world."

Time magazine described lawsuits between Apple and Samsung over patents and design in a Sept. 9 story, saying, "Samsung is a victim of the bureaucratic patent offices in the U.S., Europe and Australia."

The weekly said patent authorities defined the boundary of design and patents in a vague manner, interrupting innovation.

Patent expert Florian Mueller said, "Samsung`s Galaxy line may look similar to iPhone and iPad but Apple is filing frivolous lawsuits over its technology and design."

jaeyuna@donga.com