• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

After 40 investors rejected Jeff Bezos’ Amazon pitch, his parents offered $245,573 of their retirement savings

2

Current price of oil as of September 24, 2026

3

China now makes up a record 40% of all global container exports—and it’s a sign Trump’s tariffs meant to punish Chinese firms have fallen flat

1

After 40 investors rejected Jeff Bezos’ Amazon pitch, his parents offered $245,573 of their retirement savings

2

Current price of oil as of September 24, 2026

3

China now makes up a record 40% of all global container exports—and it’s a sign Trump’s tariffs meant to punish Chinese firms have fallen flat

London court not amused by Apple’s half-hearted apology

By
Philip Elmer-DeWitt
Philip Elmer-DeWitt
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Philip Elmer-DeWitt
Philip Elmer-DeWitt
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 1, 2012, 12:08 PM ET
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Click to enlarge.

FORTUNE — “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” — Erich Segal’s Love Story.

Someone at Apple (AAPL) seems to have taken Segal’s sappy aphorism to heart, much to the consternation of London’s highest court of appeals.

Having lost a U.K. design infringement suit in July, the company was ordered to post notices on its website and in the British press to correct any impression the suit might have created that Samsung’s tablets were knockoffs of Apple’s iPad.

The first paragraph of Apple’s notice, still available here, did as it was ordered. But in five subsequent paragraphs the company’s statement not only quoted Judge Colin Bliss’ July ruling to the effect that Samsung’s tablets “are not as cool,” as Apple’s, but added this:

“However, in a case tried in Germany regarding the same patent, the court found that Samsung engaged in unfair competition by copying the iPad design. A U.S. jury also found Samsung guilty of infringing on Apple’s design and utility patents, awarding over one billion U.S. dollars in damages to Apple Inc. So while the U.K. court did not find Samsung guilty of infringement, other courts have recognized that in the course of creating its Galaxy tablet, Samsung willfully copied Apple’s far more popular iPad.”

The U.K. Court of Appeals was not amused.

“I’m at a loss that a company such as Apple would do this,” Judge Robin Jacob said during a hearing in London Thursday, according to Bloomberg. “That is a plain breach of the order.”

Apple was ordered to remove the offending paragraphs within 24 hours and add a three-sentence note on its homepage within 48 hours acknowledging the “incorrect statement.”

A lawyer representing Apple complained in court that the original order was “not designed to makes us grovel.” He also asked that Apple be given two weeks to make the changes.

His request was denied.

About the Author
By Philip Elmer-DeWitt
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.