Apple denied initial request to ban Galaxy products in the US

Late last week, U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh denied Apple's request for a preliminary injunction against Samsung. Apple accused Samsung of patent and trademark infringements and asked the court to ban the sales of the Galaxy Tab and other Galaxy smartphones.

Judge Koh did suggest she believes Samsung may have violated some Apple patents, but said there was no evidence Apple would be irreparably harmed by the continued sales of the Galaxy devices.

The two technology companies are embroiled in a messy legal battle which includes 20 suits in ten countries. Also last week, Australia overturned the injunction banning the sale of the Galaxy Tab down under. The injunction was supposed to end on December 2nd, but Apple was awarded a week-long stay.

Apple can now use this time to argue why the injunction should remain in place. If Apple fails to convince the judge to keep the injunction, Samsung can begin selling the Galaxy Tab on Friday, December 9.

[Via The Verge]