In an interesting turn of events for Samsung, a UK judge has asked Apple Inc. to issue notices in British press and on its UK website stating that Samsung did not copy iPad design, reports Bloomberg.

The order, given by Judge Colin Birss, puts Apple is in a tricky situation in its much- publicized legal feud with the South Korean competitor over Samsung Galaxy Tab models. Apple will not only have to post a notice on its website, but also leave it there for six months.

Bloomberg reports:

The notice should outline the July 9 London court decision that Samsung’s Galaxy tablets don’t infringe Apple’s registered designs, Judge Colin Birss said. It should be posted on Apple’s U.K. home page for six months and published in newspapers and magazines to correct any impression the South Korea-based company was copying Apple’s product.

Reacting on Judge Birss’s order, lawyer for Apple Inc., Richard Hacon said:

No company likes to refer to a rival on its website.

Samsung released the following statement after the hearing:

Should Apple continue to make excessive legal claims based on such generic designs, innovation in the industry could be harmed and consumer choice unduly limited.

Apple and Samsung are set to appear in a patent-infringement trail that begins on July 30, 2012 in California.

Source: Bloomberg via The Verge