A U.S. judge rejected Apple's request to block Samsung from selling Galaxy smartphones and tablets in the U.S. market, in the latest round of the legal patent battles between the two companies.

In a ruling released late on Friday, U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California denied Apple's request for a preliminary injunction against Samsung. The judge rejected Apple's bid to ban sales of three smartphone models, as well as the Samsung Tab 10.1.

"Samsung welcomes today's ruling denying Apple's request for a preliminary injunction. This ruling confirms our long-held view that Apple's arguments lack merit. In particular, the court has recognized that Samsung has raised substantial questions about the validity of certain Apple design patents. We are confident that we can demonstrate the distinctiveness of Samsung's mobile devices when the case goes to trial next year. We will continue to assert our intellectual property rights and defend against Apple's claims to ensure our continued ability to provide innovative mobile products to consumers," samsung said in a statement.

Apple has not commented on the ruling yet.

The two companies are engaged in a legal battle that includes many cases in 10 countries as the they both compete in the smartphone and tablet markets.

On Friday, an Australian court also extended a halt on sales of Samsung's latest Galaxy tablet in the country by at least a week, as Apple appeals a ruling that had ended the ban.

Apple sued Samsung in the United States in April, saying the South Korean company's Galaxy line of mobile phones and tablets "slavishly" copies the iPhone and iPad.