Dutch court rules Samsung tablets don't copy iPad

Samsung added a notch to its belt in ongoing legal battles with Apple as the two tech giants jostle for share in an exploding tablet and smartphone market. An appeals court in The Hague ruled on Tuesday that Samsung's Galaxy Tab does not violate Apple copyright. The Hague Court of Appeal's decision upheld a lower court's ruling from last year in rejecting Apple's request to stop Galaxy sales. Apple, which is based in Cupertino, California, had alleged that Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 copies the iPad. The Dutch court ruled that differences between the devices, including thickness, allow users to differentiate between the products. The two tech giants are locked in legal battles in 10 countries, Reuters reports. As the companies jostle for market share, Apple has sued Samsung over alleged Galaxy copyright violations. Seoul-based Samsung has sued back, saying Apple is violating wireless technology patents. Last Friday, a court in Mannheim dealt Samsung a setback by ruling that Apple had not violated one of three patents. Further decisions from the Mannheim court on the patents are expected later this month, and in March. Earlier last year, a court in Dusseldorf temporarily banned Galaxy sales in Germany. Reuters reported that Samsung has spent $60 million (46.2 million euros) so far in legal costs relating to Apple.