Samsung offers to change its Galaxy Tab 10.1 to please Apple

KOREAN ELECTRONICS GIANT Samsung has offered to make changes to its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet to overturn an Australian sales injunction.

Apple had managed to win an injunction banning the sale of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets in Australia. The seller of shiny toys made in China alleged Samsung had infringed 13 patents, though with Samsung's latest alterations the dispute now covers three patents.

Samsung had planned to release the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia on 11 August, but Apple's legal action kiboshed that plan and subsequent dates. The two firms are pencilled in to meet in court tomorrow, and if Apple accepts Samsung's changes it could mean that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will appear on Australian store shelves sooner rather than later.

Apple and Samsung have been in a bitter patent war across the globe, though the Australian sales injunction is arguably the most restrictive ruling against Samsung. In Europe, Apple won similar injunctions, though Galaxy Tab 10.1 devices are still available for sale in many European markets.

Last week Samsung signed a deal with Microsoft to license patents to insulate itself from further lawsuits. Google on the other hand has been trying to acquire a substantial patent stash itself, through its proposed buyout of Motorola Mobility, in order to help Android device makers in ongoing patent battles.

According to the BBC, Apple said that it is mulling Samsung's changes to the Galaxy Tab 10.1. If the cappuccino company does accept them, it could provide a template for resolving the other disputes between the two firms. µ