A fierce patent battle between the two global tech giants ― Samsung Electronics and Apple Inc. ― is taking a new turn after a German court reversed last week’s injunction against the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 across Europe.

The decision means that Samsung can sell its Galaxy Tab 10.1 in most European countries excluding Germany and the Netherlands.

The decision was made after the image of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 presented to the court by Apple was found to have been altered triggering controversy over the previous court hearing.

Following the court ruling, Samsung Electronics immediately fought back by submitting a picture of Knight Rider’s “The Tablet,” which had the same concept as the iPad to prove the company did not copy Apple’s design.

“Through the court’s decision, we’ve been granted with the permission to roll out the gadget in most European nations,” said a Samsung official on condition of anonymity. “The situation is turning favorable towards us now.”

Last week, the German court in Duesseldorf temporarily banned sales of the gadget in the European Union after Apple filed an injunction, claiming the Galaxy line of smartphones and tablet PCs “slavishly” copied the iPad and iPhone.

Germany will hold a hearing on Aug. 25 where the Seoul-based firm will make efforts to overturn a ban on selling its flagship tablet PC Galaxy Tab in the European country.

So far, Apple has also filed suits against Samsung in other nations, such as the United States and Australia, on design infringements and patent and copyright violations.

Apple has raised accusations many times in the past that Samsung copied its design and user interface and its chief executive Steve Jobs referred to the firm as “copycats” during a presentation.

Samsung also filed countersuits against Apple over patent rights ― alleged infringement of five patents which focused on communication technologies ― in courts in Korea, Japan and Germany earlier in April.

The Seoul-based firm then strengthened the flagship electronics arm on patent right issues, shortly after the world’s second-largest mobile phone maker filed the countersuits against Apple at home and overseas.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee had said before the beginning of the legal battle that the firm was coming under intense scrutiny from many firms trying to keep the company at bay.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)