An Australian court has told Apple that it may need to reveal sales figures of its iPad and iPad 2 devices in the U.K and U.S to improve its chances of successfully invoking a ban on Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia.
Bloomberg reportsthat Apple’s complaint that the Samsung tablet will affect demand for its iPad cannot be proven unless the Cupertino-based company provides records of its sales.
Federal Court Justice Annabelle Bennett said in Sydney Federal Court today:
“Unless Apple puts on evidence showing the impact in the U.S. or U.K., I can’t draw any positive assumptions.”
Apple will not be forced to reveal sales figures, with the judge denying Samsung’s request to see them.
The iPad maker successfullywon an injunctionon sales of the Galaxy Tab in the country after Samsung announced it would delay the launch of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the country until late September. The Korean vendor said it will wait until a court verdict is reached on claims that the Korean vendor hadcopied the design and packagingof Apple’s iPhone and iPad products.
With an injunction placed upon sales of three Samsung smartphones in some European countries and a similar ruling made in Germany, banning the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, Samsung has said it will delay the launch of its tablet device pending a decision in late September, adding that it would lodge a cross claim through the Australian court in the following days.
Samsung is yet to file a cross claim and remains adamant that “people want an Android product, so they will buy an Android product,” its legal representative Neil Murray told the court, adding that the device “is not impacting the sales of Apple”.
Apple has said the “remarkable similarity of the Samsung product” referring to the “functionality and appearance” could result in a loss of sales as people may choose the similar-looking device.
Story byMatt Brian
Matt is the former News Editor for The Next Web. You can follow him on Twitter, subscribe to his updates on Facebook and catch up with him(show all)Matt is the former News Editor for The Next Web. You can follow him onTwitter, subscribe to his updates onFacebookand catch up with him onGoogle+.
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