Import-ban of older Apple products lifted, Samsung to Appeal

Back in June, the US International Trade Commission ordered a ban on sales of various Apple products sold on AT and T, including the iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4, as well as the iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G.  This followed claims by Samsung that these Apple products had infringed a patent.

The patent in dispute related to the transmission of multiple services simultaneously via 3G.  This is another battle in the global patent war between Samsung and Apple.  Last year, Apple won a major patent dispute against Samsung, resulting an $600 million award.

When an import-ban order is put into effect by the ITC, it is then reviewed by the Obama Administration who have up to 60 days to reverse the decision.  It concluded that the decision was reversed because of its “effect on competitive conditions in the US economy”.

Apple commended Obama  “for standing up for innovation” and also said that “Samsung was wrong to abuse the patent system in this way.”  However, Samsung responded that “The ITC's decision correctly recognised that Samsung has been negotiating in good faith and that Apple remains unwilling to take a licence.”

This decision by the Obama administration to reverse the import-ban is imminently awaiting appeal.

KitGuru says: The latest battle in a war which looks set to continue for a while to come!

Thanks BBC News; Image Source: The Verge

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