Apple seeks ban on all Samsung Galaxy Products in Europe

This is the other side of the growing patent litigation trend in the technology business. One angle is the attempt to raise a rival's manufacturing costs while creating a revenue stream. But there's another tack a firm can take: banning the sale of products using infringing software. In its case against Samsung Electronics in the Netherlands, Apple is demanding an extensive ban on all Galaxy series smartphones and tablets, including a complete recall of stock by European distributors and resellers.

An injunction could have a "huge impact" on the entire European market for smartphones and tablets, according to Alastair Edwards, principal analyst at Canalys.

Apple's complaint seeks an injunction for the entire Galaxy series. This includes smartphones -- the Galaxy Ace, Galaxy S and Galaxy SII and tablets.

"If this injunction is granted it could have 'significant implications' for the European market for smartphones and tablet, said Canalys' Edwards. "This is a very big threat to Samsung, because basically their whole European supply chain will be broken," he said

"This could mean it's almost game over for Samsung in Europe," he said, noting that Samsung in the last year has rapidly overtaken Apple in shipments in the smartphone market in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and is currently closing in on market leader Nokia.

Apple seeks ban on all Galaxy smartphones, tablets in EU