South Korean electronics giant Samsung is set to launch its Galaxy Tab 10.1 on the Dutch market on Tuesday in the midst of a legal stand-off with rival US-based Apple. Elsewhere in Europe, sales have been banned.

"The Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be on sale from Tuesday" in a large electronics chain around the country, Tamara Villani, Samsung spokeswoman in the Netherlands, said on Monday. From 23 August, the tablet will be available in various other stores, she added.

Last week, Apple's lawyers asked a Dutch judge to ban the sale of three different types of Samsung smart phones as well as three tablets, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Apple has accused Samsung of infringing on its design and patents. The court is expected to give its decision before 15 September.

German court bans Galaxy sales in Europe
A Dusseldorf court granted a separate injunction a week ago, halting the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 across Europe, with the exception of the Netherlands. Samsung indicated that it would appeal the decision.

Samsung's spokeswoman said she could not comment on how sales in the Netherlands would affect the trial's outcome. "Whatever the decision, we can continue our business as planned until October 13," Ms Villani said, referring to the date the judge would set for Samsung to remove offending products from the shelves if an injunction was granted in Apple's favour.

Design rights
The case before the Dutch court is the latest episode in the battle between Samsung and Apple, manufacturer of the iPad. Both companies have been pursuing legal action against one another since April over design rights.

Earlier this month, Apple also launched legal proceedings in Australia against Samsung.

(jn)

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