German court rules against Samsung in patents case

Samsung has said a German court has ruled against it in an argument over patents with Apple.

It is the latest verdict in a global row between the two companies.

Australia temporarily banned sales of one of Samsung's tablet computers over a legal dispute with Apple.

Earlier, the global electronics giant said its fourth-quarter earnings rose 17% from a year earlier on strong growth in sales for smartphones and flat panels.

The Suwon, South Korea-based company supplies key components such as chips to companies like Apple for its smart devices.