The US International Trade Commission has imposed a ban on the import of Apple’s iPhone 4 and iPad 2, because they infringe upon a patent held by rival Samsung.
The ruling, which overturns an ITC decision from last year, relates to a patent covering 3G technology which ensures that a device can transmit multiple services correctly simultaneously. The original complaint was filed by Samsung in 2010.
The ITC’s decision is subject to a 60-day presidential review, though it’s unlikely President Obama will overturn it. Apple is free to continue selling the iPad 2 and iPhone 4 during the review period and said it would appeal the ruling.
Apple spokeswoman, Kristin Huguet said the ITC’s decision ‘has no impact on the availability of Apple products in the United States.’ That suggests that Apple plans to withdraw the iPhone 4, launched in 2010, and iPad 2, released in 2011, from sale, probably when it launches new models in September.
Samsung said in a statement: ‘We believe the ITC’s final determination has confirmed Apple’s history of free-riding on Samsung’s technological innovations.’
Samsung was fined more than $1bn in a US court last year for infringing upon Apple patents. That award was later reduced to $589m.
