We’re just getting info on the developments emerging from a Netherlands court, which reports that the Samsung Galaxy S II smartphone has been banned in “Europe” following yet another legal row with Apple over patent claims.
The patents in question relate to the Samsung Galaxy S II’s scrolling method and screen unlock features which Apple suggests rips off their own tech specifications. The Samsung handset will be withdrawn from public sale until at least October 13th, but at the moment we’re unsure on which countries stocks will be affected.
This follows Apple’s imposed ban on Samsung tablet Galaxy Tab 10.1 in a number of countries including Great Britain, Germany and Australia, after it was found to too closely resembles the iPad 2. Some of the bans have since been overturned, but just as Samsung seemed to be surviving one assault, another presents itself.
The Gadget Helpline will update this story as further details surface.
UPDATE (16:40PM):
EU shipments of Samsung Galaxy S, S II and Ace are affected by the court injunction, which extends to UK, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, France, Italy, Poland, Denmark, and Belgium.
However, it does not affect Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, or Spain.
Samsung says “With regard to the single infringement cited in the ruling, we will take all possible measures including legal action to ensure that there is no disruption in the availability of our Galaxy smartphones to Dutch consumers.”
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