Today’s Mobile News section leads with a major blow to Samsung’s German distribution plans for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 – but not because of Apple’s patent-related lawsuits. The end effect, however, is the same: Samsung cannot distribute its top-selling tablet in Germany.

Added to the injury is the mention by German courts that Samsung’s 8.9-inch version may also be kept off the shelves as well.

Dusselfdorf’s Higher Regional Court ruled that Samsung could not distribute its mobile tablet because of reputed violations of Germany’s competition law, which has nothing to do with the patents issues against which Apple has repeatedly sought Samsung tablet sales prohibition.

However, the ruling pertains to the original tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, which had been redesigned to clear the patent hurdle and gained court approval to distribute as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1N.

Despite Samsung’s redesign and proof the 10.1N was not in violation of Apple’s patents, and despite the patents court clearing the redesigned device for sale in Germany, the Galaxy Tab 10.1N has been introduced into the separate competition law issue.

The Dusseldorf Regional Court is scheduled to rule on the tablet in early February.

Florian Mueller, a well-known patent analyst, said of Apple’s pursuit,

“The fact that Apple won today doesn’t necessarily mean that it will succeed against the 10.1N. If Samsung is allowed to continue to sell the 10.1N, the commercial relevance of today’s appellate decision is next to nil.”

Mueller also speculated that the court decision in Germany probably won’t apply in other regions. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 has already been approved by The Hague for distribution and sales in Denmark.

Apple’s patent lawsuit efforts against Samsung regarding the Galaxy Tab 10.1 continue in the United States, Australia, France and Japan.

One judge ruled last year that Apple’s patent had been violated but required proof from Apple that the patents were valid before additional action might be taken.