Apple scores European ban on Samsung smartphones

[Simon]

Apple has scored another victory in its patent war with Samsung, with the iPhone rival provisionally ordered to stop selling the Galaxy S, Galaxy S II and Ace smartphones in Europe.

The ruling in a Dutch court comes into effect in seven weeks, and entails a preliminary injunction that blocks sales of the handsets that are sold and distributed in Europe through Holland, where it runs its European logistics base.

According to patent specialist blogger Florian Mueller, who broke the story on the Foss Patents blog, the seven-week grace period could give Samsung time to reorganise its logistics so that one of its Korean subsidiaries could still sell handsets in Europe.

The injunction relates to patents surrounding how users browse galleries, and could be enforceable in many European countries, including the UK.

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/369508/apple-scores-european-ban-on-samsung-smartphones

[Steve]

It's about time they sorted all this out,it's just tit for tat. Whilst Apple have every right right to protect their commercial properties and patents I'm not sure it does either parties reputation any good in the long term.

[john]

Whilst patents are necessary to ensure intellectual rights it seems to me that Apple are using patent law to stifle any competition much as Watt and Boulton did with the steam engine which restricted development until the patents expired.

Deciding whether Apples patents have actually been infringed will no doubt take time and I think the only winners will be the lawyers.

[Technical Ben]

...The injunction relates to patents surrounding how users browse galleries...

So they patented pressing a button? GREEEEAAAAT.

[pctech]

There's not that many ways you can differentiate a rectangular case that houses a touch screen, mic, speaker and the circuitry to make it work.

Afraid I think Jobs is fighting dirty and is frankly and odious man.

[Steve]

It's not even that, it's a finger gesture or swipe. We can all think of a few finger gestures.


http://www.macrumors.com/2011/08/24/ban-on-sale-of-samsung-galaxy-smartphones-in-eu-set-for-october-13th/

[pctech]

Apple must be running out of ideas then.

Time Jobs went now I think.

Maybe they ought to promote Jonathon Ive to CEO as it was after all his designs that made Apple products popular.

And this will shock you, I was seriously considering buying a Mac Mini to use alongside my PC to broaden my OS technical knowledge.

[Simon]

It's not even that, it's a finger gesture or swipe. We can all think of a few finger gestures.


http://www.macrumors.com/2011/08/24/ban-on-sale-of-samsung-galaxy-smartphones-in-eu-set-for-october-13th/

Yes, I couldn't quite see what the argument was either.  How else are you supposed to view galleries on a touch screen phone? 

[Lance]

Seems Jobs was listening to you, Mitch.

[Simon]

Blimey!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14659127

Future developments will be interesting...

[Rik]

I don't know, I don't see the Snow Leopard changing its spots.

[Glenn]

How long before Samsung have 'production difficulties' in their chip processing plants, and can only supply a limited number of cpu's for iPad/iPhone production?

[Technical Ben]

Yes, I couldn't quite see what the argument was either.  How else are you supposed to view galleries on a touch screen phone? 

If it's not an Apple Iphone your not. 

Here is the quote.

"In some embodiments, the user interacts with the GUI primarily through finger contacts and gestures on the touch-sensitive display," the patent reads. "Instructions for performing photo management may be included in a computer program product configured for execution by one or more processors."

This world is so broken. 

[Edit]
PS Samsung are smeg heads for not pointing out an infinite amount of "prior art" or usage of this exact patent.

[pctech]

Seems Jobs was listening to you, Mitch.

I wouldn't wish ill health on anyone but now he is out of day to day operational control lets hope this madness stops although Tim Cook is said to be his protégé so I won't hold my breath.

[Technical Ben]

I fear the madness can only get worse. These things end up like Hydras (see microsoft ).

[john]

Apparently Steve Jobs wasn't too happy  with Android

[Rik]

Happy being the understatement of the year. 

[john]

The thing is that Apple have by all accounts made some good and desirable products and they should not need to resort to patent tactics to stifle any competition.

I'm not conversant with patent law but I could understand it if their competitors have actually copied their technology but if they have just produced a product that works in a similar way but using different technology then I'm not sure Apple can supress it.

As I haven't got either an Apple or Android device I'll see what the courts decide but maybe someone here can explain it further.

[Simon]

I think it's all a bit ridiculous.  It's like one motor manufacturer suing another because their cars also have a round steering wheel.

[Rik]

Exactly. As I said, can you imagine what it would have been like if the first concept of writing had been patented, the concept of printing? The world would lack so much knowledge. This sort of behaviour needs to stop, there should be some cooperation, which recognises a basic idea, eg files, folder, icons, apps etc, are essential to computing and are shared, but that the technology of their implementation does deserve protection.

[lozcart]

Its probably things like this that makes Apple unhappy with Samsung

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/09/28/no-comment-proof-that-samsung-shamelessly-copies-apple/

[Rik]

I still say Samsung chose a better microphone.

[Technical Ben]

Thing is, from a "design" view, the two are as different as chalk and chips. But a "functional" side, yes exactly the same. I ask, how was Samsung to avoid 1) a square screen? 2) A square box 3) a square plug 4) a thin usb adapter on a thin computer? 5) A picture of a microphone on a recording device fitted with a microphone?
It's like asking the car designer not to use wheels cos Apple used them first. :/

I agree there is a definite rip off on the packaging. However, go after everyone else too. Tesco, M&S Sainburies. They all rip off other packaging and design companies (looks at the Tesco rip off of Walkers crisps)...

[Gary]

Thing is, from a "design" view, the two are as different as chalk and chips. But a "functional" side, yes exactly the same. I ask, how was Samsung to avoid 1) a square screen? 2) A square box 3) a square plug 4) a thin usb adapter on a thin computer? 5) A picture of a microphone on a recording device fitted with a microphone?
It's like asking the car designer not to use wheels cos Apple used them first. :/

I agree there is a definite rip off on the packaging. However, go after everyone else too. Tesco, M&S Sainburies. They all rip off other packaging and design companies (looks at the Tesco rip off of Walkers crisps)...

Intellectual wars, tbh there is more more important things going on in life for me to really care about this right now, but since its mentioned HTC managed with sense UI to avoid doing the same, Samsung chose icons etc that look very similar, design wise it looks very similar, and yes you can do a lot with a square screen, look at SE phones. I really find blind hatred of certain corporations to be dull. None of them do thing for the sole benefit of us, that's the only thing I am sure of. (Apple dont sell crisps by the way)

[Steve]

Surely it's about protecting your intellectual property, having spent a fortune developing IOS. Why would Apple let Google have a free ride on the back of it with Android platform.

[lozcart]

I agree there are only certain ways you can make a square phone/tablet but look how Samsungs designs changed after Apple released products.

http://maypalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Samsung-Products-vs-Apple-products.jpg

[Simon]

If you're going to plagiarise, plagiarise from the best. 

[Technical Ben]

I agree. But why fight the wind for blowing when you can use it to power your sails.

[Den]

Microsoft should sue apple for bringing out Safari after all it's a browser and so is IE. 

[Simon]

You call IE a browser? 

[Den]

I call IE9 the best browser 

[Gary]

I call IE9 the best browser 

Its good to be hopeful  Chrome is probably one of the best these days, IE9 is bottom of the pile for standards and speed again  also easily hacked, Chrome and FF are the hardest, Safari is pathetic that way. Opera not sure on.

[pctech]

Safari and Chrome use the same rendering engine, webkit.

[Technical Ben]

I agree there are only certain ways you can make a square phone/tablet but look how Samsungs designs changed after Apple released products.

http://maypalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Samsung-Products-vs-Apple-products.jpg

Oh, sorry. I failed to notice. That comparison is flawed. Touch screen v non touch in those pictures. The same applies to any vendor. touch screen has certain requirements, irrespective of style or design. Granted previous to Apple, most touch screen devices had buttons too. Apple proved you could have pure touch, and a customer would not freak out. Or to put it simply, Apple taught people to ride bicycles (touch), everyone else dropped the third wheel (buttons).

I'm not sure you can patent "removing buttons".

[edit]

Here you go. This pre-dates Apple right?! By about 5 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_Compaq_TC1100

So they can not pull the "you are copying us" card. No one is being copied, except HP!!!

The problem is, this is "TV" style functionality. All TVs are square + black rectangle sides. You cannot go suing another TV company for making the same shape or colour. It's an unavoidable design.

[Glenn]

I have a TC1100 at home, apart from a resistive screen (you need to use the supplied pen) it works fine. All it now does though is run TeamSpeak.

[pctech]

Phones are getting increasingly dull don't you think?

[Rik]

Microsoft should sue apple for bringing out Safari after all it's a browser and so is IE. 

Netscape got there first, Den.

[Glenn]

NCSA Mosaic was Netscapes forerunner 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCSA_Mosaic

[Rik]

Before my time, Glenn.

[Technical Ben]

That's a relief, we won't blame you for the dreadful graphics!

[Rik]

 

[Lance]

Before my time, Glenn.

Its not often you can say that!! 

[pctech]

Its not often you can say that!! 

He can't, it came out in 1993 

[Rik]

Its not often you can say that!! 

But increasingly true.

[Gary]

Safari and Chrome use the same rendering engine, webkit.

And your point?...Chrome is sandboxed with better security than Safari, Mitch. I mean tin cans are generally made of the same material but that does not mean they all contain beans.

[Gary]

Phones are getting increasingly dull don't you think?

I thought you just got a new one?

[Simon]

I mean tin cans are generally made of the same material but that does not mean they all contain beans.

[Glenn]

They don't have much tin either. 

[Simon]

I'm beginning to think mine's been banned.  The 5 will be out by the time the bleedin' 4S arrives. 

[Lance]

Good things come to those who wait!

[Simon]

I'm bound to be out when it's delivered.  What's worrying is that it was shipped on the 22nd, but there's still no tracking info on the TNT website. 

[Steve]

Sounds a bit like my tracking, not available until after the delivery was carded.

[Simon]

I've now found it by going through a special Apple link on the TNT site.  Still seems to be scheduled for today. 

[Inkblot]

Some interesting background on 'patent wars' here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15343549 and here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15433188

[Rik]

Good things come to those who wait!

Unless it's sitting in the depot still 

[Simon]

It's out for delivery! 

[Rik]

[Glenn]

The EU are now investigating both Apple and Samsung. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/11/22/patents_unfair_competition/

[Rik]

This seems to have run as long as Corrie.

[Glenn]

The popcorn has gone mouldy and the drink has gone flat. Here they both are

[Rik]

I know just what you mean, it's become a bad French farce.