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ITC Rules in Favor of Apple, Some Older Samsung Devices Receiving Import Ban

Posted August 9, 2013 at 11:04pm by iClarified · 8455 views
Some older Samsung devices will be receiving an import ban for infringing on Apple patents, as the International Trade Commission ruled earlier today.

The import band is subject to a 60-day veto period, where President Obama could veto the ban like he did for the Apple one. The patents in question cover scrolling behavior and headphone jacks with devices like the Galaxy S 4G, Fascinate, Captivate, Galaxy Tab, and Galaxy Tab 10.1, and many other smartphones released in 2010/2011 facing the import band.

Samsung Responded with the following statement:
We are disappointed that the ITC has issued an exclusion order based on two of Apple’s patents. However, Apple has been stopped from trying to use its overbroad design patents to achieve a monopoly on rectangles and rounded corners. The proper focus for the smartphone industry is not a global war in the courts, but fair competition in the marketplace. Samsung will continue to launch many innovative products and we have already taken measures to ensure that all of our products will continue to be available in the United States.

Apple's statement follows:
With today's decision, the ITC has joined courts around the world in Japan, Korea, Germany, Netherlands and California by standing up for innovation and rejecting Samsung's blatant copying of Apple's products. Protecting real innovation is what the patent system should be about.


Reportedly, the circumstances of this case make it much more difficult for Samsung to obtain a veto from President Obama to nullify the ban. After President Obama vetoed the import ban on iPhones, South Korea criticized the decision and expressed their concern over Samsung's patent rights.

Read More via TheVerge