Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 banned in EU after Apple wins preliminary injunction

Apple's legal team has just claimed another Samsung scalp, with the news that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 has been banned from sale in the EU.

The Düsseldorf Higher Court ruled that the Galaxy Tab 7.7 infringes Apple's design patents for the iPad, and issued a preliminary injunction that prohibits Samsung from shipping any more Galaxy Tab 7.7 units to the region.

Its larger brother, the Galaxy Tab 10.1N, remains available in the EU thanks to a few modifications that mean it doesn't infringe Apple's design patents.

Naturally enough, Samsung isn't particularly pleased with the Düsseldorf Higher Court's ruling on the Galaxy Tab 7.7, stating: "We will continue to take all available measures, including legal action, to protect our intellectual property rights and defend against Apple's claims to ensure our products remain available to consumers throughout the European Union."

The Düsseldorf Higher Court decision runs contrary to the recent ruling by a UK judge, who decided that the Galaxy Tabs do not infringe Apple's design patents and that Apple must take out adverts in UK newspapers stating that Samsung did not copy its design for the iPad.