Apple failed to convince a US judge to block Samsung Electronics from selling some Galaxy smartphones and tablets in the US market, depriving the iPhone and iPad maker of crucial leverage in a global patent battle between the two companies.
In a ruling released late last night, US district judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California denied Apple's request for a preliminary injunction against Samsung.
The two companies are engaged in a bruising legal battle that includes more than 20 cases in 10 countries as the they jostle for the top spot in the smartphone and tablet markets.
Earlier yesterday, an Australian court extended a halt on sales of Samsung's latest Galaxy tablet in the country by at least a week, as Apple appeals a ruling that had ended the ban.
Apple sued Samsung in the United States in April, saying the South Korean company's Galaxy line of mobile phones and tablets "slavishly" copies the iPhone and iPad.
But yesterday Judge Koh rejected Apple's bid to ban sales of three smartphone models, as well as the Samsung Tab 10.1.
"It is not clear that an injunction on Samsung's accused devices would prevent Apple from being irreparably harmed," Judge Koh wrote.
Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet referred to previous Apple statements about the case, saying that Samsung's "blatant copying is wrong." Samsung representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Apple could still prevail in the overall lawsuit. But it's inability to win a quick halt to Galaxy sales in the United States comes as the stakes skyrocket in one of the fastest growing consumer electronics markets.
Global tablet sales are expected to explode to more than 50 million in 2011. Apple, which has sold more than 30 million iPads so far, is expected to continue to dominate the market in the near term.
Apple's new chief executive Tim Cook is under pressure to show he can fill the large shoes of his predecessor, late Silicon Valley titan Steve Jobs. But in his first quarterly result unveiled as permanent chief executive, Apple stunned Wall Street, missing expectations for the first time in years.
Analysts said customers held off buying iPhones in the September quarter, waiting for the October launch of the latest iPhone 4S.
