An Australian court on Thursday said a judgement was likely next week in technology giant Apple's patent dispute with Samsung Electronics over tablet computers.

Some reports suggested a ruling could come Thursday.

"I'll do it as quickly as I can. I would hope to give judgement next week," Federal Court Justice Annabelle Bennett told lawyers for both sides, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Apple launched legal action against the South Korean company last month, accusing it of intellectual property infringements with the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet, which will compete with its iconic iPad 2.

The American firm is seeking a permanent ban on the sale or promotion of the latest Galaxy in Australia.

Samsung disputes the claims and Bennett's comments are a small setback for the company, which had hoped to launch the tablet in Australia on Friday.

However, it said it would wait for a judgement to be made before putting its product on sale.

The companies are already embroiled in a patent dispute over smartphones and tablet computers in the United States, with both sides filing infringement claims against the other.

Legal action is also ongoing in South Korea.

However, Apple won its battle with Samsung in Germany earlier this month when a court ruled the Galaxy Tab 10.1 had copied the iPad, and banned it from sale in that country.

earlier related report

Microsoft, Samsung in patent licensing deal
Washington (AFP) Sept 28, 2011 –

Microsoft and Samsung, amid a rash of patent infringement suits by technology firms, announced an agreement on Wednesday to cross-license their patent portfolios.

The US software giant said the deal with the South Korean electronics titan provides "broad coverage for each company's products."

The Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft said it will receive royalties for Samsung's mobile phones and tablets running the Android mobile platform from Google.

Microsoft has accused Android, which is offered free to smartphone and tablet manufacturers by Google, of violating patents held by the US software giant.

Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablet computer is powered by Android and is under attack from Apple, maker of the iPad, for patent infringement on several continents.

Apple is also involved in patent infringement lawsuits with Taiwan's HTC, which also uses Android to power its mobile devices.

Google reacted sharply to the announcement that Samsung had agreed to pay royalties to Microsoft over Android.

"This is the same tactic we've seen time and again from Microsoft," Google said in a statement.

"Failing to succeed in the smartphone market, they are resorting to legal measures to extort profit from others' achievements and hinder the pace of innovation," Google said.

"We remain focused on building new technology and supporting Android partners," the Mountain View, California-based company said.

Under the agreement, Microsoft and Samsung will also cooperate in the development and marketing of Windows Phone, Microsoft's mobile operating system.

"Microsoft and Samsung see the opportunity for dramatic growth in Windows Phone and we're investing to make that a reality," said Andy Lees, president of Microsoft's Windows Phone Division.

"Through the cross-licensing of our respective patent portfolios, Samsung and Microsoft can continue to bring the latest innovations to the mobile industry," said Hong Won-Pyo, Samsung's executive vice president of global product strategy.