Samsung Galaxy Nexus appeal following ban in US over Apple patent dispute

Apple has won a court ruling which blocks sales of Samsung's Galaxy

18:07 02 July 2012

Apple has won a court ruling which blocks sales of Samsung's Galaxy Nexus smartphone in the US amid a patent infringement suit. 

 

Both Samsung and Apple have accused each other of copying vital design and technology patents across four continents. 

 

However, US District Judge Lucy Koh sided with Apple, stating that the company "has shown a likelihood of establishing both infringement and validity". 

 

Koh then banned sales of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the US until the case was resolved, a move which Samsung are "disappointed" with. They have since launched an appeal. 

 

The damage could already have been done: shares are down and the delay in a key market gives other tablet and smartphone rivals Microsoft and Google a window of opportunity to make their mark. 

 

Apple will have to post bonds of nearly $100m in case Samsung triumph at a later stage and redeem damages. 

 

The Galaxy range is seen as Apple's biggest rival. Apple's new iPhone, the number 5 model, is due to hit stores later this year. 

 

Samsung last month launched a free app enabling users of their Galaxy mobiles to sync their iTunes from Apple's devices. 

 

The Telegraph quoted a spokesman for Samsung UK saying: “We know that traditionally iPhone users have been reluctant to switch to an Android device because they couldn't use iTunes to manage their content.

 

"Easy Phone Sync means people can now enjoy their iTunes content on a Samsung Galaxy phone." 

 

Samsung are the world's number one mobile phone company, trumping previous rivals Nokia. Samsung are also the biggest maker of smartphones, ahead of even Apple. Apple meanwhile are the world's most valuable company. 

 

Also in telecommunications news this week, The Sunday Times reported that Blackberry are considering splitting their company in two: one branch will focus on handsets and new technology while the other will become devoted to email/messaging networks.