EU Galaxy Tab ban lifted

The ban on the sale of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 across Europe has been temporarily lifted while a court looks at whether the original ruling was appropriate, reveals the BBC.

The ban was brought in Germany following a patent dispute with Apple. It accused Samsung of “slavishly” copying the design of its iPad.

But questions were raised over whether the Dusseldorf court had the right to instigate an EU-wide ban. The ban still holds in Germany.

Dell, the second-largest PC maker, reported sales that missed analysts' estimates, hurt by sluggish spending on desktop PCs and consumer technology, states the San Francisco Chronicle.

Second-quarter sales rose less than 1%, to $15.7 billion, Dell said yesterday. Analysts had estimated revenue of $15.8 billion, according to Bloomberg data. Dell also reduced its full-year sales forecast.

Lacklustre demand from consumers and market-share gains by Apple weighed on results, offsetting stronger corporate spending on server computers. Households have stepped up purchases of tablets and smartphones, while curtailing purchases of PCs, Dell's mainstay.

Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC is accusing Apple of violating three patents covering smartphones and other technologies, the latest round in an ongoing dispute between the companies, notes the Associated Press.

HTC filed the latest lawsuit on Monday in US District Court in Wilmington, Delaware, where Apple had sued HTC a year ago.

Both companies have also brought complaints before the US International Trade Commission, which has the power to block imports of devices and parts found to infringe on a company's intellectual property.

Verizon Communications plans to suspend health insurance coverage and medical benefits for any worker still on strike, applying further pressure on employees who have been off the job for more than a week, reports Cnet.

It's the latest escalation in a contract dispute between telecommunications workers facing competitive pressure on its legacy landline business and workers who do not want their benefits stripped away.

The disagreement over benefits caused 45 000 employees in the north-eastern and mid-Atlantic regions to walk off the job on 7 August, and resulted in accusations of violence, illegal interference, and legal action.