Samsung to sell Galaxy tablets in Australia

Image caption, Apple and Samsung have accused each other of copying aspects of their devices

Australia's High Court has lifted a ban on the sale of Samsung's Galaxy tablet in the country in time for the Christmas shopping season.

Apple won a ban on the devices, claiming Samsung had copied its iPhone and iPad.

South Korean Samsung had been unable to sell products in Australia since July.

The two companies are engaged in legal battles in more than 10 countries since April accusing each other of infringing smartphone and tablet patents.

Last month, Samsung won an appeal against a temporary ban on sales.

However, Apple was awarded a stay of the orders. On Friday Apple's bid to extend the ban was turned down by the High Court.

The ruling is a rare win for Samsung as it allows the company to sell its Galaxy Tab 10.1 in time for the busy Christmas shopping season, a lucrative time for the industry.

The decision comes after a US court ruled against Apple's bid to ban Galaxy phones and tablets, another win for Samsung. Apple has appealed against that ruling.

However, the legal tussle in other markets is not going as well for Samsung.

The company said on Friday that a French court had turned down its request to ban sale of the latest iPhone in that country.