Giving a big blow to Samsung Electronics, a U.S. court has denied its appeal to lift the injunction on the sales of its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the country.
A California judge issued a preliminary injunction on Samsung last week, baring it from manufacturing or selling its tablet in the U.S. following injunction by Apple Inc. The ruling came just a few days after a court issued preliminary injunction against selling and importing of its Galaxy Nexus smartphone in the country.
Samsung Electronics said on Tuesday that it would continue to appeal before the court to lift the injunction.
Apple and Samsung have been at loggerheads for a quite a long time now, acussing each other of violating patenting laws. The two gianst in consumer electronics are waging paten war in several countries.
Not long ago, Apple filed a suit against the sales of Samsung Galaxy series including Galaxy S3 in the U.S., alleging that Samsung violated Apple's patent.
"Instead of pursuing independent product development, Samsung has chosen to slavishly copy Apple's innovative technology, distinctive user interfaces, and elegant and distinctive product and packaging design, in violation of Apple's valuable intellectual property rights," said the lawsuit filed by Apple.
"Samsung has made its Galaxy phones and computer tablet work and look like Apple's products through widespread patent and trade dress infringement. Samsung has even misappropriated Apple's distinctive product packaging," it added.
However, Samsung Electronics launched its flagship smartphone Galaxy S3 in the U.S. last month as planned despite the fact that the Apple had filed a sales injunction request against it.
"Samsung believes Apple's request is without merit. We will vigorously oppose the request," Reuters quoted the South Korean electronics giant as saying in a statement.
"We would also like to assure consumers that the U.S. launch and sales of the GALAXY S III will proceed as planned," it added.
Samsung's flagship Android next generation smartphone, Samsung Galaxy S3 was released in the U.S. in May following its grand release in Europe.
