Despite legal protests filed by rival Vodafone, wireless provider T-Mobile has continued to sell the iPhone in Germany. According to Macworld News, the debate stems from Vodafone charging that the sale of an unsubsidized, locked handset with a 24 month contract violates a German competition law.

On Monday, a German court in Hamburg granted a temporary injunction against T-Mobile, albeit the terms of the order don't stop the carrier from selling iPhone handsets.

T-Mobile representatives have refuted the accusation that its sales of the iPhone have violated German law.

“We have an exclusive device in our portfolio, but if you look at the market, that’s normal,” said a T-Mobile spokesman in Germany. “The main thing is we will sell the iPhone. There is no stop to selling the iPhone.”

Another court hearing is scheduled in about two weeks time.

A Vodafone representative stated that it did not ask the court to stop T-Mobile from selling the iPhone, but claimed it would like to see the court mandate that T-Mobile sell an unlocked version of the iPhone for the same price or cheaper than the locked version which is currently for sale.

T-Mobile has stated that the company sold about 15,000 iPhones on its November 9th launch day. The 8 GB iPhone sells for €399 (US$589) including 19 percent value-added tax. The price in the U.S. is US$399 excluding sales tax.

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