Judge orders Apple to say Samsung didn’t copy the iPad

For those not up on their corporate legal dickery, Apple has been trying to stop Samsung from selling its Galaxy tablet, claiming that the device is a direct rip-off of the iPad. In a rather amusing backfire, a UK judge has ordered Apple to publish an ad claiming that Samsung did not copy anything. 

Apple was attempting to stop the Galaxy Tab in the United Kingdom, but a London court ruled in Samsung’s favor on July 9. Judge Colin Birss interestingly summarized that the iPad was too “cool” to be confused with a Tab — a compliment in any other circumstance, but not when Apple’s trying to impose its jealousy in the courtroom. Still, the iPad can now claim to be legally cool. 

As a result of this coolness, Apple is expected to put a notice on its official homepage for six months, and pay to take out advertisements in the Financial Times, Daily Mail, Guardian Mobile, and T3, admitting that Samsung’s Tab is not stealing anything.  

Naturally, Apple is appealing the decision, so it’ll be a while if we see any of these ads — should we see them at all. If the company is forced to go through with it, though, it’ll be quite the humiliation.

Apple Must Publish Notice Samsung Didn’t Copy IPad In U.K. [Bloomberg]