Samsung's Galaxy devices don't infringe on an Apple multitouch patent that describes technology that prevents smartphone users from pushing two on-screen buttons at the same time, the Court of The Hague ruled on Wednesday, reports the "IDG News Service" (http://macte.ch/XHtuh). The technique used in Android is sufficiently different from Apple's patent, the judge said.

"The court judges that Samsung with the trading of its Galaxy products does not infringe on EP 948," said judge Peter Blok and two other judges.
"Apple, as the unsuccessful party, will be ordered to pay the litigation costs," the judges wrote.

Five days ago Apple lost its appeal against a UK ruling that Samsung had not infringed its design rights, reports the "BBC" (http://macte.ch/uLl3m).

In July a judge at the High Court in London ruled in July that the look of Samsung's Galaxy Tab computers wasn't too similar to designs registered in connection with the iPad (actually, he said they weren't as "cool"). Apple was ordered to place a notice to that effect on its website and in various publications.

Apple, as you might expect, appealed. However, the "BBC" says the appeal judges decided not to overturn the decision on the basis that a related Apple design-rights battle in the German courts risked causing confusion in consumers' minds.

This is all part of the ongoing, global legal battle. Apple and Samsung have filed more than 30 lawsuits against each other across four continents. For example, Apple alleges that Samsung copied the slide-to-unlock technology of its iPhone and iPad devices.