A U.S. judge on Monday rejected a request by Samsung to lift a ban on U.S. sales of its Galaxy Tab 10.1 - the third legal setback to South Korean firm in just a week. Apple and Samsung are waging legal war in around 10 countries, accusing each other of patent violations as they vie for supremacy in a fast-growing market for mobile devices.

U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California, rejected Samsung's request to lift her June 26 order to halt sales of its Galaxy Tab device.

Koh also slapped a pre-trial ban on sales of Samsung's Galaxy Nexus phone on Friday.

The affected tablets and smartphones are unlikely to have major impact on Samsung's earnings, as the firm has since introduced upgraded models.

"Samsung is disappointed with the court's decision that denied our motion to stay. We believe today's ruling will ultimately reduce the availability of superior technological features to consumers in the United States," Samsung said in a statement.

The district court is not the last chance for Samsung to get the injunction lifted.

The case is U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, is Apple Inc v. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd et al, 11-1846.