Apple may have to publish announcements that Samsung did not copy the design of its iPad with its Galaxy Tab tablet, after losing an appeal.

British Court Of Appeals upheld a July 9 judgment that despite some similarities, Samsung did not infringe Apple's design, in part because its products were "not as cool" as the iPad.

Losing the appeal would force Apple to add a notice on its website claiming that Samsung did not copy Apple's design with its Galaxy Tab tablet. Apple should also place adverts in various newspapers and magazines. The British judge also said on Thursday that the notices must be in a font size no smaller than Ariel 14. Of course, Apple can still appeal to the Supreme Court.

The world's two leading smartphone makers are fighting over patents, both for smartphones and for tablets, in courts around the world.