Samsung, Apple battle goes to Dutch court

A Dutch court will next month decide whether to grant computer giant Apple an injunction in the Netherlands to halt the sale of various smart phones and tablet devices made by South Korean rival Samsung. US-based Apple's lawyers opened yet another front this week in a world-wide battle involving design rights, by asking for a ban on the sales of three different types of Samsung smart phones as well as three different types of tablets including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. "It's a difficult decision that could deeply affect Samsung if its products are pulled off the market," Judge Edger Brinkman told lawyers for the two technology giants Thursday after a two-day summary hearing. He said he would give a ruling on the matter by September 15. "In short, Apple is asking for a ban on sales of Samsung smart phones and tablets," The Hague's district court press judge Peter Blok told AFP. He said Apple filed papers before the court on June 27, asking for an injunction and accusing Samsung of infringing on its design and patents. A Dusseldorf court on Tuesday granted a separate injunction halting the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 across Europe, with the exception of the Netherlands. Lawyers representing the two companies declined to comment on reasons for a separate case in the Netherlands but a technology expert who asked not to be named, said he believed the Dutch case was simply filed before the one in Germany. The case before the Dutch court is the latest episode in the battle between Samsung and Apple, manufacturer of the iPad, who have been pursuing legal action against one another since April over design rights. Earlier this month, Apple also launched legal proceedings in Australia against Samsung, accusing it of infringing its patents with the Galaxy Tab 10.1.