Apple wins battle to stop Samsung selling Galaxy Tab 10.1 across EU

Samsung has suffered a major blow today if reports out of Germany are to be believed, stating that a court has blocked the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 across Europe.

Apple took action against Samsung over the Tab, claiming that the design copies that of the iPad, and that it infringes various Apple patents.

According to patents expert Florian Mueller, the preliminary injunction granted by the German court prevents Samsung from selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 across the whole European Union, aside from the Netherlands.

Mueller said he was "surprised" by the omission, but added: "I'm still analysing the situation based on Apple's motion, which I've just obtained. My guess for the Netherlands is that there's a separate proceeding underway there."

Samsung declined to comment on the matter.

If Samsung infringes the ruling, it could be liable for a fine of more than £200,000 for each violation, or even imprisonment of Samsung's management in the event of continued infringement, according to Mueller.

A preliminary injunction is granted if the plaintiff can show that they are likely to prevail in the case, Mueller explained. He also told V3 that the injunction will have immediate effect, meaning that Samsung will need to pull the Tab from the shelves less than a week after it went on sale in the UK.

Samsung has delayed introducing the latest version of the Tab into the Australian market, where Apple has requested a similar preliminary injunction.