The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer
Apple has succeeded in securing a preliminary injunction blocking sales of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the US ahead of its patent trial.
US District Judge Lucy Koh issued the court order, the first time either firm has won an injunction to ban sales, which has likely left Apple confident it will win its patent infringement claim against Samsung’s tablet computer.
Preliminary injunctions are particularly rare, and a similar request by Apple in December was denied.
The rival smart device manufacturers are locked in patent disputes across the globe, along with other tech giants such as Google, Motorola and Microsoft.
As the patent wars rage on, these companies continue to request injunctions, making claims and counter-claims of infringement. In this case, Apple has accused Samsung of copying the iPad’s design, while Samsung has claimed Apple infringed on its connectivity patents.
The trial will commence on 30 July in California.
