Mr Mueller added that despite the decision only involving activity on the German market, it could help Apple in other patent disputes around the world concerning the contested patent, which relates to this iPhone feature. Android is Apple's closest rival in the mobile market. A spokeswoman for Motorola said: "Today's ruling in Munich, Germany, on a patent lawsuit brought by Apple involves software functionality regarding unlocking of handsets selected on Motorola devices available for sale in Germany." The Apple, Motorola Mobility dispute will soon overshadowed by the importance of the global battle with Samsung, he said. "Apple has asserted its slide-to-unlock patent against all three leading Android device makers in different jurisdictions and may use it against even them going forward," she said. Motorola said it intends to appeal, adding that the ruling would have "no impact" on supply or future sales. Mr Mueller, a patent expert who in the past consulted for Microsoft, described the ruling as a "very significant win for Apple over the robot maker." The patent issue - EP1964022 - involves just swiping a finger from one area to another to unlock a smartphone during the process. "Motorola has implemented new designed-around features. Therefore, we expect no impact on current supply or future sales," it said. Apple has won a patent dispute with Motorola Mobility over its "slide-to-unlock" feature for smartphones. The ruling marks the first time Apple has prevailed over Motorola anywhere in the world. A second patent ruling, which involved a method of scrolling through photo galleries on mobile devices, was also due last Thursday but was postponed by the court. [Ming You Jing Chun Optimization Room QQ contact 4 6 6 4 0 1 6 0 4 7 5 9 5 4 2 5 4 1 0 product keywords guarantee 4 on Baidu front page eight thousand a year send website one!] Apple said it would not comment on the decision. Patent adviser Florian Mueller said the ruling could have implications for patent disputes involving global Android device manufacturers. "Global campaign" Motorola Mobility is in the process of being acquired by Google and most of its handset run on the company's mobile operating system Android. Related thematic articles: Samsung announces Galaxy Tab 2 with Android4.0 integrated circuit Creative website promotion - English and French online marketing ARM-based Windows will include office 15 pre-installed Those million Facebook? Some may not actually visit How Apple cuts costs in building gadgets