In a ruling this week, the International Trade Commission banned Apple from importing to the United States wireless mobile devices and tablet computers that violate an existing Samsung patent.
The commission is prohibiting Apple also from selling or distributing within the U.S. wireless communication devices, portable music and data processing devices, and tablets that infringe certain claims.
Samsung filed a petition with ITC back in 2011, charging that the specific products violated a Samsung patent in how devices transmit data.
ITC began reviewing the case in November 2012 at the request of Samsung, after an administrative law judge dismissed the case.
The ruling ceases the importing and selling of the older Apple devices, including AT&T models of the iPhone 3, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G in the U.S.
Because of the technological advances made on mobile devices, the financial impact on Apple may not be too noticeable. Pending Apple updates in the fall and considering the rapid evolution of technology, these devices will likely soon become outdated.
This decision can only be appealed by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or the White House. President Barack Obama has only 60 days to overturn the appeal.
This week’s ruling comes on the heels of the president issuing a series of executive orders regarding patenting to “protect innovators from frivolous litigation and ensure the highest-quality patents in our system.”
Obama detailed a series of legislative recommendations, as well as five executive actions to “help bring about greater transparency to the patent system and level the playing field for innovators.”
