The whole ugly chain of events started when Apple began accusing Samsung of blatant copying of their device. Apple does have some design patents to back their standing up, but as they are quickly finding out a patent on a rectangular device with a screen that covers most of the front, might just be too vague to work any longer.

After having their lunch handed to them in Spain and getting denied a request for a ban in the US (the Judge asked if Apple would fall apart if the Tablets were sold) they are now having their ban pulled out from under them in Australia.  Of course Samsung still has to defend themselves next year when the full case goes to court, but they will not lose out on the Holiday sales.

It is also important to note that these decisions do have a cumulative effect. The fact that the ban was pulled will have an impact on the case when it goes to trial. In fact one of the Justices even remarked that by the time this does go to the full court, the actual devices will most likely not even be current. This means that the matter will turn to money.

We have been saying this for a while now; we hope that the idea of board design patents and copyrights that are as vague as the ones Apple is using like a club are once and for all disallowed. Maybe with this and other decisions the patents will be declared void and things can get back to being about who has the best working product.

Samsung says the Tab 10.1 will be on store shelves on Monday December 12th.

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