Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Australian launch delayed, Apple's lawsuit to blame

The legal kerfuffle between Samsung and Apple, which aims to slow down Android's proliferation by taking on its most astute manufacturer, took another tablet victim today.

We heard about a month ago that Samsung will have some troubles Down Under to sell its Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 flagship Android slate, and the Korean manufacturer agreed to voluntarily stop sales and marketing until a hearing. Afterwards Samsung said it will be business as usual, and it will continue marketing the tablet in Australia.

Now it seems that Apple's lawsuit there has forced Samsung to reconsider and stop with any merchant activities regarding the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 until September 26, when the case hearing is. It also seems that the Koreans will fight back, since Samsung issued the following statement:

"Today, Samsung informed the Federal Court of Australia it intends to file a cross claim against Apple Australia and Apple Inc regarding the invalidity of the patents previously asserted by Apple and also a cross claim against Apple regarding violation of patents held by Samsung by selling its iPhones and iPads."

The Australian sales pause comes hot on the heels of the ban on German sales for the Galaxy Tab 10.1, and the injunction against three smartphones of the Galaxy line in the Netherlands.

source: Reuters