Apple Apologises For Accusing Samsung of Copying iPad

Apple has complied with a ruling by the UK Court of Appeal, and has published an apology for wrongly accusing Samsung of copying the design of the iPad.

The original High Court ruling required Apple to post an apology on its UK home page in a font no smaller than Arial 11, but The Appeals Court softened this by saying a link on the homepage to the apology would be sufficient.

A link at the bottom of Apple's UK website takes visitors to a plain white page and six-paragraph statement outlining the judge's points comparing the design of Apple and Samsung products - although Apple couldn't help but include the High Court quote about the iPad stating: "It is a cool design."

Further down, the company explains that the judgement has effect throughout the European Union and it was upheld by the Court of Appeal.

Concluding, Apple adds some context to its various court battles with Samsung, stating:

"In a case tried in Germany regarding the same patent, the court found that Samsung engaged in unfair competition by copying the iPad design.

"A US jury also found Samsung guilty of infringing on Apple's design and utility patents, awarding over one billion US dollars in damages to Apple Inc.

"So while the UK court did not find Samsung guilty of infringement, other courts have recognised that in the course of creating its Galaxy tablet, Samsung willfully copied Apple's far more popular iPad."

Apple's punishment will continue over the weekend, when the company must publish a similar statement in larger Arial 14 font in a number of UK publications such as the Financial Times, Guardian and leading technology magazines.

The statement must remain visible online for at least six months, to "correct the damaging impression" of Samsung created by Apple, Judge Birss ruled in the High Court.