The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 continues to be banned from Australian consumers as Apple won its bid to block the tablet on Thursday.

Australian Federal Court Justice Anabelle Bennett granted Apple's bid to continue an injunction against the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia. The injunction prevents Samsung from selling its popular tablet until the lawsuit between Apple and Samsung is resolved or there is another court order to lift the injunction.

Apple is suing Samsung for patent infringement violations after Samsung allegedly copied its iPad design. The two tech manufacturers have been slugging it out in a legal battle that spans several countries including lawsuits in the U.S. Japan and Europe. Samsung has filed countersuits accusing Apple of infringing on its wireless telecommunications technology patents. Apple has won a few rounds after it had prevented Samsung from selling the Galaxy Tab in Europe and now in Australia.

The latest setback is particularly damaging to Samsung as it had hoped to capitalize on the Christmas season to drive more sales.

The interlocutory hearing is particularly revealing as Apple's attorneys described the Samsung tablet as Apple's main rival in the tablet market. According to Apple lawyers the Samsung tablet would be launched "with the velocity of a fire hose" and significantly reduce the sales of the iPad 2.

Samsung had argued that the Galaxy Tab wouldn't be in direct competition with the iPad 2 but would be contending with other Android tablets. Consumers would instead be choosing between the iPad 2 with its iOS or other Android-based tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

"We are disappointed with this ruling and Samsung will be seeking legal advice on its options," Samsung said in a statement. "Samsung will continue its legal proceeding against Apple's claim in order to ensure our innovative products remain available to consumers."

"We will continue to legally assert our intellectual property rights against those who violate Samsung's patents and free ride on our technology," the company in regards to its suit against Apple's patent violations on Samsung wireless telecommunications technology.

An attorney for Apple declined to comment after the hearing.