Apple's schoolboy punishment: Publish 'Samsung didn't copy the iPad'

The judge that ruled Samsung tablets couldn't have copied the iPad because they are "not as cool" has hit the headlines again.

Bloomberg reports that Judge Colin Birss has ordered Apple to publish a notice on its UK website informing customers that Samsung's tablets did not copy Apple's iPad designs. The London court judge has further directed Apple to publish similar notices in British newspapers and magazines, to counter any negative impression the public may have about Samsung's tablets as a result of Apple's claims.

This, effectively, means Apple will have to pay for advertising Samsung's products. Richard Hacon, a lawyer representing Apple, told the court "No company likes to refer to a rival on its website."

Judge Birss, however, declined Samsung's attempt to stop Apple from making further public comments that Samsung's tablet had infringed its design reports, saying "They are entitled to their opinion".

Samsung released a statement after the hearing which said, "Should Apple continue to make excessive legal claims based on such generic designs, innovation in the industry could be harmed and consumer choice unduly limited."

Apple has not released any comments as yet on the latest developments.

Judge Colin Birss had earlier ruled Samsung's Galaxy tablets did not infringe the U.S company's designs for the iPad because they were "not as cool". (See: Samsung wins case against Apple because it's "not as cool")

"They do not have the same understated and extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design. They are not as cool", he said. "The overall impression produced is different."