[Hokimjers]

AP | By PAUL ELIAS Posted: 06/27/2012 12:21 am

Judge Orders Halt To Sales Of Galaxy Tablet Computer



SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A judge late Tuesday ordered Samsung Electronics Co. to halt sales
of its Galaxy 10.1 tablet computer while the court considers Apple's claim the South Korean tech
giant illegally copied the design of the popular iPad.

U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh said Apple Inc.'s lawsuit appeared likely to prevail.

"Apple has established a strong case on the merits," Koh said.

Koh had earlier said the two products are "virtually indistinguishable," but she declined in December
to take the dramatic step of prohibiting sales of the Galaxy 10.1. She changed her mind after the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit told Koh to take another look at Apple's request for an
injunction, ruling June 19 that it appeared the Cupertino-based company had a strong case. The
Washington, D.C., court handles most patent appeals.

"Although Samsung has a right to compete, it does not have a right to compete unfairly, by flooding
the market with infringing products," Koh wrote in her Tuesday order. She said Apple would be
"irreparably harmed" if sales of the Galaxy 10.1 continued.

Samsung said it was disappointed with the court's decision.

Koh ordered Apple to post a $2.6 million bond in case it ultimately loses the case.

The ruling is a small part of a much larger patent battle between the two tech giants, who are
scheduled to go to trial next month in San Jose.