It has been alleged that Apple submitted tampered images of the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 to make it appear more like its own iPad. The uncovered evidence could have great implications on whether or not the Galaxy 10.1 is sold in Europe, influencing other litigation between the two companies in overseas markets.
It was only yesterday we reported that Apple has been playing dirty in the eBook business, using its relationship with publishers to regulate eBook pricing, stifling competition from Amazon. But what’s been uncovered today appears to be another low by the world’s most valuable company.
According to an investigation undertaken by Webwereld.nl, a Dutch IDG publication, Apple may have submitted tampered evidence in its case against Samsung, preventing sales of the hot rival Galaxy Tab 10.1.
The legal proceeding is based on aesthetic similarities between Apple’s iPad and Samasung’s 10.1, with Apple claiming the 10.1 tablet knocks off iPad design traits. So far, preliminary rulings have resulted in a European injunction, preventing Samsung from selling its tablet to the European market.
Read: More Problems For Samsung Galaxy 10.1 HERE
Now though, it appears images of the iPad and Galaxy side by side may have been tampered with, distorting the ratio of the Samsung device to make it look identical in form to the iPad. The image on the next page, courtesy of Webwereld.nl showcases the erroneous Samsung image, how it makes it appear more alike the iPad, and the actual ratio of the Galaxy 10.1.
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The image has been taken from page 28 of the Dusseldroft court complaint, which is the court who granted the injunction. Sitting side by side is an image of the iPad and the Galaxy, but evidently the Galaxy’s ratio has been distorted, with the image stretched so that it resembles the same dimensions as the iPad.
Samsung’s Galaxy tab has an aspect ratio of 1.46, but the Samsung tablet pictured has a ratio of 1.36, making it appear 8% wider than it really is. By dropping it 0.1 of the ratio, it looks more like the iPad’s 1.30 aspect ratio, giving Apple’s claim much more credence than it should have.
This flaw could have significant implications on the case, possibly resulting in the ruling overturned, according to lawyer Arnout Groen, from Kos Morel Vos & Schaap.
According to Groen, the case only merits that Apple submit evidence, with Samsung’s defensive role a rather passive one. In this situation in particular, Groen strained the importance of submitting honest and truthful evidence as evidence is only being presented by one party.
This is not the first time (and probably not the last) that Apple has bullied its will on other competitors, with it playing dirty in the eBook industry, crippling Amazon so the company can have bigger profit margins.
Read: Apple Sued For Fixing EBook Pricing, Fearing Amazon HERE
If proven guilty, it’s the kind of unethical practices that really makes you think twice about the company you do business with.
