It looks increasingly likely that one of the best Android tablets we've seen to date will never be released in this country. Apple has won a temporary court injunction against the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, effectively banning it from sale in Australia until the court case is resolved.
Samsung will not be able to market or sell the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia until Federal Court Justice Annabelle Bennett makes a final decision in the ongoing patent infringement war.
A Samsung spokesperson said the company was "disappointed" with the result.
"Samsung will continue its legal proceeding against Apple‘s claim in order to ensure our innovative products remain available to consumers," Samsung stated.. "We will continue to legally assert our intellectual property rights against those who violate Samsung’s patents and free ride on our technology."
Timeline: Apple vs. Samsung – the story so far
In April, Apple hit Samsung firm with 16 claims which included charges of unjust enrichment, trademark infringement and ten patent disputes. It accused the rival electronics form of “slavishly” copying its designs for the iPhone and iPad.
Since then, Apple has issued multiple lawsuits against Samsung around the world, including the current case in Australia.
Samsung: Galaxy Tab 10.1 "dead"
Samsung had previously stated that a delayed launch would kill the tablet, and it would all but abandon plans to bring its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet to Australia should its launch be delayed further.
“If we miss the Christmas sales period, then the commercial value of the product will largely disappear," Samsung's legal representative Neil Young said at an earlier hearing. "The product would be commercially dead by March 2012 or shortly thereafter.”
The South Korean manufacturer had initially planned to launch the 10.1-inch tablet on August 11 but had agreed to three subsequent delays due to its ongoing patent battle with Apple.
Samsung released a thicker version of its tablet, dubbed the Galaxy Tab 10.1v, in Australia earlier this year. For the time being at least, it seems this may be the only way to get hold of the tablet locally.
