Apple found guilty of infringing Samsung patent, select iPhones and iPads facing ban in the US
Looks like Apple’s ongoing legal drama came back to bite them in the ass. The US International Trade Commission has found Apple guilty of infringing on a Samsung-owned patent, issuing a cease-and-desist order on older iPhone and iPad models. The limited exclusion order specifically targets the Apple iPhone 4, Apple iPhone 3GS, Apple iPad 3G, Apple iPad 2 3G and their use of Samsung’s wireless 3G patent (no. 7,706,348).
When it comes to exclusion orders, they’re all forwarded to President Barack Obama where he has 60 days to review and approve/veto them. While not a gigantic win for Samsung, I think it’s simply nice too see Apple a little more vulnerable than usual. It was only a few months ago an ITC Judge cleared Apple of allegedly violating 4 Samsung patents. After being sent for review, I guess the ITC commission didn’t feel the same way. Expect an appeal (as always).
[Notice of Ruling | via Reuters]