Samsung has been banned from selling its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer in the US after a judge ruled in favour of Apple in the latest legal decision related to patent disputes between the two companies.

US District Judge Lucy Koh previously denied Apple’s request for a sales injunction for the iPad-rivalling Android-based tablet, but was instructed by a federal appeals court to reconsider the verdict, reports Reuters. The case is based on a single patent.

Koh said the order will come into effect once Apple has posted a US$2.6 million bond to cover Samsung’s losses if the injunction is reversed at a later date. "Although Samsung has a right to compete, it does not have a right to compete unfairly, by flooding the market with infringing products," Koh wrote as part of the ruling.

Samsung has already filed a notice of appeal, according to Foss Patents, with the blog pointing out that the company is likely to design around the disputed patent as it did in response to a similar ruling in Germany with the Galaxy Tab 10.1N.

Apple and Samsung have been engaged in legal action related to design and technology patents around the world since April 2011 when Apple accused the South Korean company of "slavishly" copying its iPhone and iPad designs. Apple’s patent case against Google-owned Motorola Mobility was thrown out by a federal judge in Chicago last week.

Meanwhile, analysts have suggested that supply issues have contributed to Samsung losing out in 2 million sales of its Galaxy S III smartphone in the April-June quarter, reports Reuters. A manufacturing problem has limited European sales while US operators have had to delay delivery of some pre-ordered phones. However, Samsung said the component shortages have now been resolved.

The company has sold a total of 10 million Galaxy S III smartphones since sales started on 29 May.