However, Apple is required to post a deposit bond of US$100 million with the court before the order is effective to cover potential costs should Samsung later win the case.
US District Judge Lucy Koh said in a pre-trial ruling that Apple "has shown a likelihood of establishing both infringement and validity". She had earlier this week issued a ban on sales of Samsung's 10.1" tablet, although again, subject to Apple posting a bond to cover possible costs later.
Samsung Electronics said in a statement that it was "disappointed" by the decision. "We will take all available measures, including legal action, to ensure the Galaxy Nexus remains available to consumers," it added.
Judge Lucy Koh will hold a separate hearing on Monday to decide whether the pre-trial injunction can be put on hold pending appeal by Samsung.
Apple and Samsung have been engaged in tit-for-tat patent wars ever since Samsung's tablets and smartphones started eating into Apple's market share. Apple had previously said in an Australian case that it was concerned that allowing Samsung to keep selling its products while patent trials are ongoing could lose it long term customers, in a rare admission that it considers Samsung products to be potentially rather good.
The case in U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, is Apple Inc v. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd et al, 12-00630.
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