Obama vetoes ITC ban on some AT&T-compatible iPhones and iPads

Remember that ITC ban on the import, sale and distribution of some AT&T-compatible iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4, iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G models Samsung won in June? The Obama administration has officially vetoed the ruling. A letter issued to Irving A. Williamson, Chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission ITC, explains that the decision considers the ban's "effect on competitive conditions in the U.S. economy and the effect on U.S. consumers." If you'll recall, the case focused on patent 7,706,348 for encoding mobile communications, which Samsung claimed the aforementioned devices infringed upon. The administration notes that despite his decision on the ruling, Samsung will still be able to "pursue its rights through the courts" (i.e. monetary compensation, etc.). In a statement to All Things Digital, an Apple representative notes:

We applaud the Administration for standing up for innovation in this landmark case. Samsung was wrong to abuse the patent system in this way.

You can peruse the full four-page memo for yourself at the source link.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Apple, Samsung

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Via: WSJ, 9to5Mac

Source: United States Trade Representative, All Things Digital