A judge in San Jose, California, has lifted the ban on Samsung selling its Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the US.

“The court does not agree with Apple that Samsung’s motion for dissolution of the June 26 preliminary injunction cannot be fairly decided without resolving Apple’s post-trial motions,” said judge Lucy Koh.

Samsung said the ruling confirms the company’s long-held view that Apple’s arguments lack merit.

“We are pleased with the court’s action, which vindicates our position that there was no infringement of Apple’s design patent and that an injunction was not called for,” Samsung said in a statement.

The patent saga between the two companies started last year when Apple sued Samsung, accusing the latter of infringing the iPhone and iPad. Samsung countersued.

In August, a jury in California favoured Apple in another patent case against Samsung, recommending Apple be awarded US$1.051 billion as damages.

Separately, Samsung filed a motion against Apple claiming that iPhone 5 has infringed two standards patents and six features patents.

Samsung and Apple are embroiled in patent disputes in 10 countries.

GB