Apple in an off-hand mention during its European injunction against Samsung revealed that it has also targeted Motorola and JAY-tech over their designs. The Motorola complaint argues that the Xoom looks too similar to the iPad. Its commentary didn’t mention an injunction by name but is likely to ask for the same move that has at least temporarily banned the Galaxy Tab 10.1.
The JAY-tech suit is more direct. Its own seven-inch Android tablet is very conspicuously designed to copy the original iPad with a similar home button, side controls, and even Apple-style interface changes that include a ‘3D’ dock.
Apple may not have as straightforward a time at getting an injunction against either JAY-tech or Motorola. Unlike the Galaxy Tab 10.1, which hadn’t had its formal launch by the time Apple was taking Samsung to court, the Xoom has been on the market since February while JAY-tech’s has been a known quantity since the fall. In Germany, where the complaints were filed, courts often deny bans if the delay is more than a month. JAY-tech may be easiest to pursue given the obvious similarities.
Both Apple and Motorola have been engaged in countering lawsuits since last fall but have mostly been engaged in the US. The European discovery suggests Apple has been hoping to use the same strategy against Motorola as it has versus HTC and Samsung.
