Patents: Apple blocks the sale of Galaxy Nexus

A few days after the Galaxy Tab tablet, Apple has blocked sales of the Galaxy Nexus smartphone in the United States, also produced by Samsung.

This is a double win for Apple in the legal battle against Samsung for patent violations and the copying of the design of their mobile devices. Apple has managed to block the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet (the other variants aren’t affected) in the United States.

Judge Lucy Koh, responsible for overlooking the affair, has also agreed to block the sale of the Galaxy Nexus smartphone, which won’t be able to be sold on American soil until the case is viewed in detail to get to the bottom of the details.

The judge states that Apple has put forward valid arguments to impose a temporary block on the sale of the smartphone until a full court hearing can be completed. Since this isn’t a final decision, but rather "precaution" before the process, Apple is required to place 95 million dollars in reserve which will be paid as damages directly to Samsung if they are found to be in the right.


A new win for Apple before things get serious
By hitting the Galaxy Nexus, Apple has not only managed to affect Samsung, but also Google indirectly as the South Korean manufacturer is the search giants biggest supporter with the Nexus family having previously been pushed by Google.

Even the "Galaxy" brand was a cause of discussion, even after Samsung had only just released this during a presentation of the smartphone in October 2011. On their side, Samsung states that they are disappointed with the decision and has promised to take all measures necessary to defend their intellectual property.

After numerous announcements made about Android at Google I/O, ranging from its diversity and technical capacities that are top of the range in the mobile telephone world, this is a cold shower for the mobile platform which remains at the heart of litigation.

This decision is just another step in a long process, even though it is just a preliminary judgment which could be over ruled during the full hearing. Apple has nevertheless managed to score some points over their opponents and the Android platform.

Apple even tried to block the Samsung Galaxy S III on the first day after it was launched in the United States, although judge Lucy Koh didn’t agree, knocking back the request until the full hearing in July.