Apple iPad 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Court decides the winner?

The battle between Apple iPad 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 has become intense among the fans of Apple and Android, but there is another fierce fight raging between the two technology giants – and this time it is in the courtroom.

Since April of this year, there has been a legal dispute between the two IT giants, suing and countersuing each other in various countries.

Apple has taken the first shot in April, accusing Samsung of “slavishly” copying Apple products in a 38-page patent infringement lawsuit that they filed with the U.S. District Court of Northern California. The complaint listed 15 Samsung products to have copied Apple.

“Instead of pursuing independent product development, Samsung has chosen to slavishly copy Apple's innovative technology, distinctive user interfaces, and elegant and distinctive product and packaging design, in violation of Apple’s valuable intellectual property rights,” the complaint stated.

Samsung did not sit back quietly about the accusation and countersued Apple later that month in four countries – South Korea, Japan, Germany, and later the U.S. Samsung listed 10 patents, allegedly infringed by various versions of iPhone, iPad and iPod (including the iPad 2).

In addition, Samsung has requested Apple to show iPhone 5 and iPad 3 in a Motion to Compel to “evaluate whether a likelihood of confusion exists”. Both iPhone 5 and iPad 3 are Apple’s top secret products whose release dates are not even announced. Apple called this move an “improper attempt to harass” the company.

The courtroom battle continued as Apple has updated their complaint with amendments on Thursday. The new document, now 63 pages long, made adjustment in patents and added 12 new Samsung products, including the recently released Galaxy Tab 10.1, which Android fans claim to be the iPad 2 rival.

How is this Apple vs. Samsung courtroom battle going to shift now? Florian Mueller, an award-winning intellectual property activist, wrote on FOSS Patents blog that Apple will likely request a preliminary injunction. If this to take place, Mueller said it could put “enormous pressure on Samsung and greatly increase the likelihood of a near-term settlement in Apple’s favor.”

We'll have to wait to see whether that is true. What do you think? Who will win the courtroom battle? Leave your comments below.