Apple Inc. has won the latest installment in its epic patent war against Samsung Electronics Co., after a U.K. judge ruled on Thursday that the California-based company did not infringe three Samsung patents on mobile technology.

At trial last year, Samsung contended that Apple had infringed three of its patents involving the transmission of data over third-generation mobile networks. London-based Judge Christopher Floyd, however, found that Samsung should never have been granted the patents in the first place, since their use existed in prior art.

A Samsung spokesperson told Bloomberg that the company will review Floyd's ruling before deciding whether to appeal. “For decades, we have heavily invested in pioneering the development of technological innovations in the mobile industry,” Samsung said in a separate statement. “We will continue to take the measures necessary to protect our intellectual property rights.”

Last October, a U.K. judge granted Samsung a somewhat Pyrrhic victory when he ruled that the Korean company's Galaxy tablets did not infringe the iPad because they weren't “cool” enough to be confused with Apple's product.

For more InsideCounsel coverage of the Apple/Samsung patent war, see:

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Apple beats Samsung in patent case

Apple Inc. has won the latest installment in its epic patent war against Samsung Electronics Co., after a U.K. judge ruled on Thursday that the California-based company did not infringe three Samsung patents on mobile technology.

At trial last year, Samsung contended that Apple had infringed three of its patents involving the transmission of data over third-generation mobile networks. London-based Judge Christopher Floyd, however, found that Samsung should never have been granted the patents in the first place, since their use existed in prior art.

A Samsung spokesperson told Bloomberg that the company will review Floyd's ruling before deciding whether to appeal. “For decades, we have heavily invested in pioneering the development of technological innovations in the mobile industry,” Samsung said in a separate statement. “We will continue to take the measures necessary to protect our intellectual property rights.”

Last October, a U.K. judge granted Samsung a somewhat Pyrrhic victory when he ruled that the Korean company's Galaxy tablets did not infringe the iPad because they weren't “cool” enough to be confused with Apple's product.

For more InsideCounsel coverage of the Apple/Samsung patent war, see:

Apple drops patent claims against Samsung smartphone only sold in Europe

No injunctions against Apple, Samsung products in the U.S. and Europe

Apple must rewrite “apology ads” following reprimand from UK court

Apple, Samsung narrowly escape adverse inference instruction

Technology: Are you an Apple or a Samsung fan?

Apple beats Samsung in patent case