In breaking news, the International Trade Commission (ITC) has just delivered its verdict on a long-running case between Apple and Samsung, ruling in favor of Apple in a decision that will see certain Samsung devices banned from import to the US. The case has been running for a number of years, and this particular ordeal began when Apple counter-sued Samsung in 2011 after the Galaxy maker claimed that a handful of the Cupertino-based company’s devices were infringing on its patents.
Apple and Samsung are, by some distance, the two most pivotal companies in the mobile game. Yet while the pair share a business relationship that sees the Korean outfit supply many of the key components to a string of Apple-branded devices, their once relatively harmonious partnership has soured considerably over the past few years, and while the two continue to battle it out in the courtroom, Apple has made a considered effort to build new manufacturing ties in a bid to distance itself from its adversary.
At this point in time, Samsung has been slapped with an import ban on infringing devices, which will come into effect pending a 60-day Presidential review period. During the next 60 days, Samsung will have the opportunity to propose some kind of workaround to a bunch of infringements including what’s been described as a “Steve Jobs” patent; pertaining features related to the touch screen.
If Samsung were to seek a Presidential veto, the specifics of the case would make it particularly difficult for the company to do so, according to FOSS Patents. This means the next 60 days could be particularly tumultuous for a company preparing a bunch of new products in the run-up to this year’s IFA trade show, including the much-anticipated Galaxy Note III.
Apple, meanwhile, remains ever busy in the courtroom, today seeking to get a decision overturned in a separate, high-profile case. Last year, Tim Cook’s men were awarded over one billion dollars in damages for Samsung’s infringement of iPhone-related patents, but a ruling thereafter has allowed Samsung to continue selling infringing products. Apple, naturally, is not happy with this.
We’ll keep you updated on any further developments from either case, as well as the many others being fought across the globe between these two titans, so stay tuned!
Update x1: Both Apple and Samsung have released the following statements on today’s ruling (via AllThingsD):
Apple
“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,” Apple said. “Protecting real innovation is what the patent system should be about.”
Samsung
“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,” Yates said.
You may also like to check out:
- President Obama Vetoes ITC’s U.S. Sales Ban On iPhone And iPad
- Apple Vs Samsung Legal Battle Continues; AT&T iPhone 4, 3GS, 3G And Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad 2 Banned From Sale In U.S.
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