USA Judge Finds Samsung Infringing On Apple iPad Patent

Samsung has been having one whole heck of a lot of trouble with Apple accusing them of infringing on patents around the world, this newest accusation holding sway in none other than our home turf, the USA. Samsung could handle a ban in Austrailia for Galaxy Tabs, certainly no tabs in Germany isn't a hassle when it comes down to it, but America? This could be some big trouble. U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh this week has said that Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablets DO infringe on Apple's iPad patents, but made sure to note that Apple will have a problem proving the validity of the patents in question.

Apple isn't only coming down on Samsung in the tablet department, they're also trying to chop down some Androids in the 4G LTE department – though Verizon isn't having any of that. And of course they wouldn't! Devices don't get banned here in the USA, do they? Why yes, yes they do. When Apple sues a group and says that they "slavishly" copied their own designs, well, then, the courts listen. Just a few weeks ago, Apple sought to ban ALL Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets across Europe, now they're coming for the states.

U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh noted after a hearing today on October 13th, 2011, in San Jose, California, that she would deny Apple's request for an injunction simply based on one of Apple's "utility" patents. Koh didn't note whether or not she would grant injunctions based on three other Apple "design" patents. The utility patent ruling hasn't been made formal, still noted by Koh as "tenative," but she did not that her final order would be made "fairly promptly."

This case, for those of you that would like to know, is operating under the title "Apple Inc v. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd et al, 11-1846" in U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, USA.

[via Rueters]