The ongoing patent dispute between Apple and Samsung has resulted in both parties having their products shelved in South Korea — courtesy of a judge’s recent ruling. With a slap on the wrist, the South Korean judge sent both companies on their way and empty handed.

Apple was found to have infringed upon two of Samsung’s patents (a tethering patent and a W-CDMA 3G cellular communications patent) and is now banned from selling (in South Korea) the iPhone 3GS, the iPhone 4, and the first and second generation iPads. They must also pay Samsung what essentially amounts to pocket change — ₩40 million in damages, about $35,000.

As for Samsung, they were found to have infringed on Apple’s bounce-back patent and thus barred from selling the Galaxy SII and Galaxy Tab 10.1. Oh yea, and they have to pay Apple ₩25 million, about $22,000.

So who’s the real winner in this pubescent battle for the conch? The lawyers of course. Other than that, I don’t see what either company is accomplishing. At the most, they are irritating enough judges to cause reform — which would be a good thing.

So, as another judge sends out the message that there will be no winner in this patent punch-out, we are left to sit with our popcorn and await the conclusion of the U.S. version.

Now roll the credits:

• ViaThe Verge