News - Apple wins Dutch injunction again Samsung Galaxy S II

[mcmiller]

It looks like Samsung will have to create another hub if it wants to distribute in Europe.

You havent posted the full facts so its hard to tell if this is correct but I doubt it very much.

I just read through the Zdnet article posted and that didnt give much information about the ban either but my understanding, and some what of a guess, is that it wont affect their logistics network just they simply wont be able to sell to customers in Netherlands.

[crossy]

I do think that the way apple has gone about this is very over the top-assuming that they didn't try to resolve the issue out of the courts, but if they did and Samsung told them where to go, then you can't blame them really, any large corporation would do this as its win win for them . You defend your IP, potentially harm your competitor legally, and 99% of your user base doesn't care so you don't really lose any business from potential bad pr.

Couldn't agree more - unfortunately it would appear (and Apple aren't denying it) that they've gone for ban only - no attempt to come to some sort of licensing deal, and certainly no warnings. To me, that stinks of protectionism rather than a genuine attempt to protect their IP from other folks doing a size 9 tap-dance on it.

If I've understood Cat-The-Fifth's explanation above (thanks for that - the patent details in the article didn't make a lot of sense to me) then yes, the Gallery app is the problem, and I think there's quite a few third party apps (iOS and Android) that might also be infringing. It'll be interesting to see if Apple continue the legal challenges (past damages or try and find something else?) if/when Samsung issue the patch to remove the offending feature.

At least this legal challenge is more justifiable than the damned stupid tablet one!

[Scribe]

Software patents relating to front-end design need to be removed.

I'm a programmer so I understand the wish to protect your work, but basic design and layout is something that shouldn't be patentable as by nature it plays towards a monopoly as people like a familiar and/or standardised interface/feel. Likewise, anything that achieves a task in the most basic, unoptimised way should be un-patentable in my opinion.

I would much rather have my work stolen that be unable to code anything because half of it is covered by patents, that would be a sad world.