Samsung Wins U.S. Sales Ban Against Apple for Several Older Devices

[dgstorm]

We aren't sure if you can call this a large victory, but it is a bit of a surprise that many might not have seen coming. Samsung just won a sales ban from the U.S. International Trade Commission on several older Apple devices including the AT&T models of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G. The sales ban is because Apple was found to infringe on a Samsung patent for 3G wireless technology related to the ability to transmit multiple services accurately at the same time. Here's a quote with more of the details as well as comments from both sides,

The U.S. International Trade Commission, an independent federal agency, issued a limited order stopping all imports and sales for AT&T models of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G. The versions targeted are more than a year old but are still solid sellers.

All such exclusion orders are sent to President Barack Obama, who has 60 days to review them. If he does not veto the order, it goes into effect.

"We are disappointed that the commission has overturned an earlier ruling and we plan to appeal. Today's decision has no impact on the availability of Apple products in the United States," Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet said in a statement.

Designed to be a trade panel, the ITC has become a popular venue for patent lawsuits because it acts relatively quickly and it can order import bans, which are more difficult to get from district courts.

Samsung said in a statement that the ITC decision "confirmed Apple's history of free-riding on Samsung's technological innovations."

"Our decades of research and development in mobile technologies will continue and we will continue to offer innovative products to consumers in the United States," it said.

Tuesday's ruling overturned a decision by ITC Judge James Gildea, who ruled in September that Apple did not violate patents at issue in the case, which was filed in mid-2011.

Apple was found to infringe on a patent that relates to 3G wireless technology and the ability to transmit multiple services simultaneously and correctly. It is essential to ensuring that the devices are interoperable.

At this point the ruling will now go to the Office of the President. If it is not vetoed then it immediately goes into effect. There is some industry speculation that if this happens, Apple will be forced into a position to finally start negotiating a patent licensing deal with Samsung and other Android OEMs just to "save face," or risk a backlash that could further erode their reputation and stock price.

And here we thought all that Samsung vs. Apple lawsuit stuff had died down...

Thanks for the tip, swc2001!

Source: Reuters

 

[johnomaz]

Was the 3G tech changed for iPhones past the iPhone 4? If not, why stop at the iPhone 4?

 

[NeoPhoenixTE]

I can only assume they stopped at the iPhone 4 due to the suit being filed before the 5 was announced (if I recall).

This victory could lead to it being expanded to the next line, though. Things are going to be very interesting...

 

[swc2001]

this whole thing reminds me of this.

Apple being the Bird. LOL

 

[kodiak799]

That's potentially a pretty big hit. You have to figure the Iphone4 is still selling briskly at discounted prices. Maybe not as much profit in it, except then Apple loses those people from upgrading to a more expensive new device at some point in the future.

 

[mountainbikermark]

Sometimes just the principle of the thing can have intentional (or unintentional) ripples. With yesterdays news about Apple anti trust litigation over e book sales , it could have a bigger long term effect than just the sales of older devices

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