Apple wins ban on Samsung Galaxy Tab 10 .1

Apple has won a ban on a Samsung Galaxy tablet in the latest round of legal sniping between the two companies. A judge has ruled that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10 .1 may infringe patents related to the iPad, and while the case is decided has ordered the Tab pulled from US shop shelves.

Apple is aggressively pursuing legal action over patents in courts all over the world, claiming manufacturers of Android phones and tablets are using idea that Apple owns. Over the past year Apple has been locked in legal battle with Samsung, Motorola and HTC, with devices banned in Japan, Germany and the US.

US District Judge Lucy Koh brought her gavel down with a bang and a ban on sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the US. The injunction doesn't affect the new Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 -- which is newer, so is probably being pushed more in shops anyway.

It's only a preliminary injunction, so Samsung can appeal. The preliminary injunction is by no means a sign that Apple is going to win: last year, the same judge denied Apple's request for a ban, until the US Court of Appeals ruled Apple did indeed have a case.

Should Samsung prove the ban was unfair, Apple will have to compensate the Korean company from a bond of £1.6m -- pocket change to Apple, with its £62bn cash stockpile.

The case is scheduled to go to trial on 30 July.

Microsoft is about to enter the tablet game with the Microsoft Surface and Surface Pro, while Google is set to unveil its first tablet, the Google Nexus 7 with Jelly Bean, today. As these two big names join the fray, Samsung can't afford to lose any ground, while Apple hopes to strike back at Google by attacking Android through the manufacturers building Android devices.

Can the Surface and Nexus 7 mount a serious challenge to Apple's dominance of the tablet market? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page, and keep it CNET from 5.30pm for all the news about the Nexus 7 and Jelly Bean.