
On Thursday, Apple fell short in its latest appeal against a ruling that freed Samsung of any blame in copying Apple's designs for tablet computers in Europe. Specifically, Apple maintains that Samsung ripped off the general look and design of the iPad. But the Cupertino, California tech giant failed to convince the British otherwise.
The decision handed down today could effectively end Apple's legal battle with Samsung across Europe. Britain's Court of Appeal has decidedly upheld the country's High Court judgment which declared that Samsung's Galaxy tablet did not unlawfully copy the iPad.
"I expect this will be the end of the line. An appeal to the Supreme Court is in principle possible but there has been no indication so far that Apple plan such an appeal," says Darren Smyth, a specialist in intellectual property law. "For the design of tablets in Europe this should be the final word."
Although Apple is yet to comment on the controversial decision, Samsung promptly issued a statement reading: "We continue to believe that Apple was not the first to design a tablet with a rectangular shape and rounded corners."
Source: Reuters
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