Apple has been granted a temporary injunction preventing Samsung Electronics from selling iPad tablet computer rival Galaxy¹ Tab 10.1 in the European Union, except the Netherlands.

苹果被临时授权禁止三星电子的平板电脑Galaxy Tab 10.1在欧盟销售，荷兰除外。Galaxy Tab 10.1乃iPad的竞争产品。

An Apple spokeswoman confirmed the ruling had been made by a court in Germany, after Apple argued the Korean firm had infringed²（侵犯） its patents.

It is the latest setback³（挫折，退步） for Samsung's launch of the Galaxy.

The Galaxy's Australian release has been delayed due to a similar lawsuit⁴.

Apple is also seeking a court order to temporarily block sales of the tablet computer in the US until patent claims are resolved.

Legal dispute

Apple argues that Samsung has "slavishly" copied the technology of both the iPad and the iPhone.

Samsung has countersued Apple in South Korea, Japan, the US and Germany.

In a statement, Samsung spokesman Kim Titus said the German court had made its order "without any hearing or presentation of evidence from Samsung."

The company would "act immediately to defend our intellectual property rights," he added.