A British judge has ordered Apple Inc. to run ads stating that Samsung Electronics Co. did not rip off the design of the iPad when it created Galaxy Tab products.

Last week, Judge Birss ruled that Samsung didn't infringe upon any of Apple's design patents. While this was an important ruling for Samsung, it did get backhanded slightly when Birss said that the company was in the clear because the Galaxy Tabs are not "as cool" as the iPad.

As it stands, Apple must publish a note on its Website (for six months) and in British newspapers, which state that Samsung didn't copy its iPad design.

Following this ruling, Samsung issued the following statement: "Should Apple continue to make excessive legal claims based on such generic designs, innovation in the industry could be harmed and consumer choice unduly limited."

Apple hasn't commented on the matter.

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