SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A judge is ordering Samsung Electronics Co. to halt sales of its Galaxy 10.1 tablet computer while the court considers Apple's patent infringement claims.

U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh late Tuesday said Apple Inc.'s lawsuit appears likely to succeed.

Apple claims Samsung's computer tablet copied patents used to design Apple's popular iPads. Koh earlier said the two products are "virtually indistinguishable."

Koh ordered Apple to post a $2.6 million bond in case it ultimately loses.

The ruling is a small part of a much larger patent battle between the two tech giants that's scheduled for trial next month in San Jose. Apple accuses the South Korean company of infringing patents related to the iPhone.

Samsung representatives didn't immediately respond to email request for comment late Tuesday.