A court in Germany has lifted sales ban from Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Tab 10.1" slates in Europe. As it was not clear whether the Dusseldorf court cold bar sales of Galaxy tablets across Europe, the court ruled that its decision to stop sales of devices only applies to Germany.

The same court had issued the injunction earlier in August at the request of Apple, who accused Samsung of copying its iPad with the Galaxy Tab 10.1", and blocked Samsung from distributing the Galaxy Tab 10.1 slate throughout the European Union, except the Netherlands. But this week a court spokesman told Dow Jones Newswires that since it was disputable whether it is possible for a German court to ban a company headquartered in South Korea from selling goods outside Germany with such an injunction, the court decided to lift it for countries outside Germany for now.

Apple accuses Samsung Electronics of copying the look and packaging of its popular iPad media tablet. The company claims that Samsung infringes its patents and demands courts in various parts of the world to ban sales of Galaxy Tablet 10.1" slates - the devices which directly compete against the iPad-series products - in respective countries. So far it managed to temporarily bar sales of Galaxy Tablet 10.1V in Australia and Galaxy Tab 10.1" in Germany. Samsung denies all accusations and vows to defend itself in court.

Many market observers believe that Apple and Samsung will eventually settle their legal disputes out of court and sign certain deals or agreements. Samsung remains a key supplier of chips and other components for Apple's products, including the iPhone and iPad, which are the most popular devices from the company, therefore it barely makes sense for the companies to fight against each other. Nonetheless, with the bans of Galaxy Tab 10.1", Apple gets rid of a strong rival and essentially monopolizes a part of the media tablets market.

Tags: Apple, Samsung, Galaxy, iPad