Apple Denied Samsung Sales Injunction Yet Again

US Federal Judge Lucy Koh shot down a request from Apple to grant a permanent injunction blocking the sale of some Android-based Samsung mobile devices over pantent infringement claims. The motion was part of Apple's second patent infringement case with Samsung, and Judge Koh said the iPhone and iPad maker didn't show that its reputation or ability to innovate had been damaged.

Judge denies Apple's request to block Samsung smartphone salesJudge denies Apple's request to block Samsung smartphone sales

Judge Koh said in her ruling, "Apple has not demonstrated that it will suffer irreparable harm to its reputation or goodwill as an innovator without an injunction."

Apple and Samsung squared off earlier this year for their second trial over cross-accusations of infringing on each other's patents. Samsung was found to have infringed on three of Apple's patents and ordered to pay about US$120 million in damages. The court also ruled that Apple infringed on a Samsung patent, and ordered the company to pay $158,400 in damages.

Those rulings followed a 2012 trial where a Jury found Samsung infringed on a long list of Apple patents and slapped the company with over $900 million in damages. Samsung is appealing that ruling.

Judge Koh's decision to deny Apple's injunction request isn't a big surprise considering she made the same ruling in the earlier trial. Ruling in Apple's favor wouldn't have had any impact on Samsung's device sales since the targeted products are all outdated. Had Judge Koh ruled in Apple's favor, however, it would've been a strategic win the company could use in future legal fights.

Samsung's little victory came only days after Judge Koh shot down a request to invalidate Apple's patents in the infringement case. Judge Koh didn't question the validity of Apple's patents, and instead denied Samsung's motion on procedural grounds saying the request was presented too late in the legal process.

Samsung is doing what it can to spin the legal fight as a positive for itself, telling Reuters, "We remain committed to providing American consumers with a wide choice of innovative products."

Apple hasn't commented on Judge Koh's ruling.