U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh sided with Apple this week in a patent dispute that will now prevent Samsung from selling its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the United States. This marks a significant decision for the mobile marketplace, as Apple has effectively stunted the growth of one of the few legitimate rivals to its industry-leading iPad.

Koh supported Apple's request for a preliminary injunction after suggesting that Samsung was trying to compete by "flooding the market with infringing products." Apple will also be posting a $2.6 million bond to fund any damages incurred by its competitor if the decision is later overturned.

"The relief being given to Apple here is extraordinary. Preliminary injunctions are rarely asked for and rarely granted," Santa Clara University law professor and Silicon Valley veteran Colleen Chien told the news source.

According to PCWorld, this case could be considered one of the most impressive victories in recent memory for Apple's patent team. After referring the court to a detailed drawing of one of its original iPad patent applications, Apple was able to convince Koh that the designs for the Samsung offering were "virtually indistinguishable."