Updated 18 May, 2013, 5:40 pm IST

Dutch court says Samsung does not infringe Apple patent

25 Oct, 2012 |

A Dutch court has ruled Samsung Electronics does not infringe an Apple Inc patent by using certain multi-touch techniques on some of the Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablet computers.

Samsung and Apple, the world's top two smartphone makers, are locked in patent disputes in at least 10 countries as they vie to dominate the lucrative mobile market and win over customers with their latest gadgets.

Apple scored a sweeping legal victory over its South Korean rival in August when a U.S. jury found Samsung had copied critical features of the hugely popular iPhone and iPad and awarded Apple $1.05 billion in damages.

But a judge has not yet ruled on Apple's request to permanently ban some of Samsung's products from the U.S. market, and the U.S. company has also faced some setbacks.

Apple argued in September in the Hague court that Samsung infringed its patent on multi-touch function, which lets users use two fingers at one time on a touch screen.

"With these products Samsung does not infringe the claims that Apple has made," the court said in its ruling on Wednesday.

Samsung isn't infringing on multi-touch patents

Apple has taken Samsung and others to court over the "pinch to zoom" function popular on smartphones and tablets.

Apple lost a preliminary injunction on this patent in the Dutch courts last year and also lost its battle in the courts in Britain against HTC Corp, and in Germany against Samsung and Motorola Mobility, which is owned by Google .

The Dutch court acknowledged that its multi-touch patent ruling was similar to those in Britain and Germany.

Samsung said it welcomed the Dutch court's decision, while Apple declined to comment on the ruling.

The Hague has become an important court room battle ground between companies making mobile phones and tablet computers, as court actions there are considered to be cheap, speedy and efficient.

The Dutch court's ruling comes ahead of a decision in the United States from the International Trade Commission on Thursday over claims that Samsung infringed on Apple patents.

Reuters

Tags: Apple vs Samsung lawsuit , Samsung vs Apple , lawsuit , Galaxy Nexus phone , sales ban , Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 , patent laws , patent infringement , Samsung patents , Apple patents , iPhone 4 , iPhone 4S , Samsung Electronics , Apple Inc. , Multi touch , Multi Touch Patents

MORE VIDEOS

15 Mar, 2013, 08:21 pm IST

Samsung Galaxy S IV vs. Apple's iPhone_ ...

07 Aug, 2012, 05:59 am IST

The Next Nexus, iPhone 5, and More!

31 Aug, 2012, 01:31 pm IST

Minecraft Timelapse_ Samsung Galaxy S4

01 Feb, 2012, 04:39 am IST

Technology Patents_ Why Everyone is Suin ...

TRENDING NOW!

6 Things to look for when buying a 'future-proof' smartphone

Hands-on with the quad-core Panasonic P51

4.3-inch, Intel-based, Xolo X910 smartphone spotted online

ZTE to launch devices ranging from Rs 5,799 to Rs 14,999 in India

LinkedIn bans prostitutes and escorts from its network

ZTE introduces Intel-powered Grand X2 In smartphone

SPOTLIGHT

HTC One production capacity improving,...

18 May, 2013, 04:38 PM

LinkedIn bans prostitutes and escorts from...

18 May, 2013, 05:10 PM

6 Things to look for when buying a...

18 May, 2013, 01:07 PM

Is Samsung 'mentally enslaving' Indian smartphone buyers...

17 May, 2013, 07:51 PM IST

Your Aadhaar card hasn’t reached you yet? Download e-Aadhaar

17 May, 2013, 01:09 PM IST

tech2 live: The latest from Google I/O 2013

16 May, 2013, 01:56 PM IST

MouthShut.com petitions SC to protect freedom of expression and quash

09 May, 2013, 07:01 PM IST

No arrests over objectionable posts on social sites without senior...

16 May, 2013, 03:17 PM IST

Flickr update may be unveiled at May 20 event

18 May, 2013, 01:46 PM

iTunes security loophole lets users download Daft Punk stream for free

18 May, 2013, 01:09 PM

Microsoft shows Internet Explorer can be cool using Vine

18 May, 2013, 11:27 AM

MORE NEWS

Your Aadhaar card hasn’t reached you yet? Download e-Aadhaar

To avoid all the hassle and with a view to make it convenient for...

By Naina Khedekar

5 Tech gift ideas for mom

We have 5 tech gift ideas that will help you find a gift that will...

By Naina Khedekar

5 Websites to create custom t-shirts

If you are bored of wearing the run-of-the-mill t-shirts, then you can...

By Priyanka Tilve

MORE FEATURES

Your Aadhaar card hasn’t reached you yet? Download e-Aadhaar

To avoid all the hassle and with a view to make it convenient for...

By Naina Khedekar

5 Websites to create custom t-shirts

If you are bored of wearing the run-of-the-mill t-shirts, then you can...

By Priyanka Tilve

6 Cool examples of 3D printing

The concept of 3D Printing has taken the western world by storm. There are

By Priyanka Tilve

MORE FEATURES

Your Aadhaar card hasn’t reached you yet? Download e-Aadhaar

To avoid all the hassle and with a view to make it convenient for...

By Naina Khedekar

Must-have gadgets for vacations

We've jotted down a list of outdoor gadgets that you could carry on a

By Naina Khedekar

5 Websites to create custom t-shirts

If you are bored of wearing the run-of-the-mill t-shirts, then you can...

By Priyanka Tilve

MORE FEATURES

Epson Moverio BT-100 Review

01 Nov, 2012, 10:05 AM IST

7.0

Wearable displays look super cool in sci-fi movies, but have failed to make a commercial success till now. Almost every year, we see prototypes shown off at exhibitions like CES...

Nvidia 3D Vision 2 Kit Review

iTwin Review

Portronics MOJO Charger - The Convenient, Portable Charger

MORE REVIEWS

Nvidia 3D Vision 2 Kit Review