Sydney, Oct 13 (IANS): Apple won a victory Thursday in its global patent battle with rival Samsung when an Australian federal court judge granted a temporary injunction blocking the sale of Samsung's latest tablet computer in the country.

Justice Annabelle Bennett handed down her ruling Thursday to ban the South Korean firm from selling its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer in Australia, Xinhua reported.

Apple claims the South Korean firm's tablet copies its iPad, infringing patents in relation to touch screens and the gestures that control them.

The ruling is a blow for Samsung as the tablet has been widely touted as the iPad's most serious rival.

The companies are also embroiled in legal disputes in the US, Europe, South Korea and Japan.

"I am satisfied that it is appropriate to grant an interim injunction, however, I propose again the opportunity of an early final hearing on the issues presented in this application," Bennett told the court.

The ban on sales applies until the court rules on the core patent issue in dispute.