As required by a U.K. court, Apple has posted a notice on its website that says Samsung did not copy Cupertino with its Galaxy lineup of tablets and smartphones. Well, sort of.
In the notice, accessible via the "Samsung/Apple UK judgement" link on apple.co.uk, Apple acknowledges that the High Court of Justice of England and Wales found that that Galaxy Tab 10.1, Tab 8.9 and Tab 7.7 do not infringe on Apple's design patent for the iPad.
But those hoping for a mea culpa from Cupertino shouldn't hold their breath. Apple goes on to toot its own horn and highlight the parts of the judge's ruling that criticize Samsung's tablets - particularly that bit about how the Galaxy Tab lineup is "not as cool" as the iPad.
"The extreme simplicity of the Apple design is striking," the judge wrote. The Galaxy Tabs, though, "do not have the same understated and extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design."
Apple concludes by pointing out that judges in Germany and the U.S. have ruled in Apple's favor on patent infringement cases involving Samsung.
Apple did not pen this note out the goodness of its heart, of course. In July, Judge Colin Birss of the High Court ordered Apple to post a note on its website and publish an ad in magazines and newspapers to say that Samsung did not rip off Apple when it designed its tablets. Not surprisingly, Apple was not pleased and appealed the decision, so its public apology was delayed. But the U.K.'s Court of Appeals last week upheld the lower court's decision. Apple has apparently decided not to take the issue to the U.K. Supreme Court, and posted the notice.
The full notice is below. Also check out PCMag's roundup of Apple's Most Notable Apologies.