The Obama administration's move comes just a couple of months after it vetoed another ban on Apple imports. October 8, 2013 7:37 AM PDT President Barack Obama has decided against vetoing a possible ban on Samsung products. Samsung requested the Obama administration veto a court-ordered ban on Samsung products that, Apple alleged, violate patents. Bloomberg was first to report on the news on Tuesday. The president has the power to veto decisions made by the US International Trade Commission, but such moves are extremely uncommon. In August, and for the first time since 1987, the president vetoed an earlier ruling by the ITC that would have seen Apple's products banned in connection with another Samsung patent-infringement case. The veto was sent down after the Obama administration argued it could have hurt competition in the US. Samsung was understandably displeased with the decision, but had no recourse following the president's veto. Related stories Tim Cook garners praise from former Apple CEO Sculley Google uses high-end finish for $279 HP Chromebook 11 What boring appliance will Nest try to make sexy next? Apple reportedly expanding iTunes Radio to UK by 'early 2014' Michael Froman, a US Trade Representative, was assigned the president's designee on the earlier ruling with Apple and Samsung. Froman, who also presided over this latest decision, said Tuesday he "carefully" considered the impact a ban on Samsung devices would have on competition but decided to allow the import ban to continue. Although likely displeased by the decision, Samsung won't necessarily feel a major impact following the ruling. The import ban relates to two Apple patents related to touch-screen technology and headphone jacks, respectively. Although some of Samsung's older devices allegedly infringe those patents, the company's newer products, including the Galaxy S4, do not. There isn't a set list of banned products. "The order expressly states that these devices and any other Samsung electronic media devices incorporating the approved design-around technologies are not covered," Froman said in a statement. Samsung might also have another out: the company can delay the ban by bringing the case to a US appeals court. Such a move would require justices to determine the legality of the particular ban and would push off and injunction until the case is settled. This story has been updated throughout the morning.
The Obama administration's move comes just a couple of months after it vetoed another ban on Apple imports.
President Barack Obama has decided against vetoing a possible ban on Samsung products.
Samsung requested the Obama administration veto a court-ordered ban on Samsung products that, Apple alleged, violate patents. Bloomberg was first to report on the news on Tuesday. The president has the power to veto decisions made by the US International Trade Commission, but such moves are extremely uncommon.
In August, and for the first time since 1987, the president vetoed an earlier ruling by the ITC that would have seen Apple's products banned in connection with another Samsung patent-infringement case. The veto was sent down after the Obama administration argued it could have hurt competition in the US.
Samsung was understandably displeased with the decision, but had no recourse following the president's veto.
Related stories
- Tim Cook garners praise from former Apple CEO Sculley
- Google uses high-end finish for $279 HP Chromebook 11
- What boring appliance will Nest try to make sexy next?
- Apple reportedly expanding iTunes Radio to UK by 'early 2014'
Michael Froman, a US Trade Representative, was assigned the president's designee on the earlier ruling with Apple and Samsung. Froman, who also presided over this latest decision, said Tuesday he "carefully" considered the impact a ban on Samsung devices would have on competition but decided to allow the import ban to continue.
Although likely displeased by the decision, Samsung won't necessarily feel a major impact following the ruling. The import ban relates to two Apple patents related to touch-screen technology and headphone jacks, respectively. Although some of Samsung's older devices allegedly infringe those patents, the company's newer products, including the Galaxy S4, do not. There isn't a set list of banned products.
"The order expressly states that these devices and any other Samsung electronic media devices incorporating the approved design-around technologies are not covered," Froman said in a statement.
Samsung might also have another out: the company can delay the ban by bringing the case to a US appeals court. Such a move would require justices to determine the legality of the particular ban and would push off and injunction until the case is settled.
This story has been updated throughout the morning.
