Samsung may drop Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia over ban
updated 11:10 am EDT, Tue October 4, 2011
Patent dispute may keep Samsung tablet out of Oz
Apple's patent dispute with Samsung over the Galaxy Tab 10.1 may have succeeded in keeping the Samsung tablet from the Australian market. An Australian court has blocked the introduction of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 from the Australian market, until it can rule on Apple's patent infringement lawsuit. Samsung claimed that sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 would be doomed unless the tablet could be launched in Australia in time for the holiday shopping season. Samsung attorney Neil Young says that unless the ban on the Galaxy tablet is lifted within the next two weeks, Samsung may be forced to scrap the Australian launch altogether.
Apple has delayed the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia for two months, claiming the device violates numerous patents by "slavishly" copying the iPad2 and iPhone. An injunction barring sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 has been in place until the patent issues can be resolved.
Samsung has insisted that at least two months' preparation would be needed for the trial, which would push the launch date past the holiday shopping season regardless of the outcome.
Apple rejected a request from Samsung to voluntarily lift the ban while the court weighs the patent dispute. [via Business Week]
