Cupertino-based tech firm Apple failed in its bid to block the sale of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Europe after the Supreme Court of The Netherlands issued the landmark decision on Friday.

The court said that while Apple's design is valid, its protection is very limited because there were earlier similar designs registered before 2004 when Apple registered its design of the iPad, which it claims was copied by Samsung.

The court cited concepts such as the Knight Ridder tablet which design was ahead of the iPad by about 15 years.

Apple had actually lost twice in The Netherlands at lower courts, but elevated the lawsuit to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court confirmed the decision of the Higher Court of The Hague issued in January that Samsung's tablets are different from Apple's design for its iPad. But the Supreme Court's decision covered only the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 design while the Higher court decision covered several Samsung tablets.

"Apple was not the first to design a tablet with a rectangular shape and rounded corners. No company should have a monopoly on general designs," Samsung said in a statement.

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