A US judge has ruled that South Korean electronics giant Samsung's Galaxy tablet PCs infringe Apple's iPad patents, but didn't rule on Apple's request to bar Galaxy tablet sales in the country.

US District Judge Lucy Koh said the Cupertino, Claif.-based iPad maker required to prove the validity of those patents if it wanted to win an injunction blocking the Galaxy Tab from going on sale.

However, carriers Verizon and T-Mobile USA are arguing that a potential ban on Galaxy products would cut into sales over the holiday season.

Earlier on Thursday, an Australian court put temporary ban on sales of the Galaxy Tab until the two gadget makers resolve their patent disputes.

Separately in the Netherlands, a court rejected Samsung Electronics' request for an injunction against Apple's mobile products. Samsung had asked the court to block Apple's all 3G telecommunications technology-based mobile products, claiming that they infringe on its patents.

Accusing Samsung of coping Apple's products, Apple spokesperson Kristen Huget said, "It's no coincidence that Samsung's latest products look a lot like the iPhone and iPad."

Apple and Samsung have been suing and counter-suing each other in a number of countries across the globe, apparently as a part of their strategy to dominate the lucrative global electronics market.