Apple faces the prospect of being unable to sell the iPhone 4 and 3G iPad 2 in the United States, after Samsung won the latest patent battle.
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has made the final decision, which centres around 3G standards, but Apple will now appeal the judgement.
The ITC ruled 3G mobile data links in the iPhone 4 and 3G iPad 2 infringed on the US patent 7,706,348, reports the Guardian.
Apple had argued Samsung had not filed the patent on “fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory” (FRAND) grounds, which is required for standards-essential parts (SEPs).
In a statement given to the AllThingsD website, Samsung said: “We believe the ITC’s final determination has 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 US.”
A ban on sales is not guaranteed even if Apple’s appeal fails, but it remains a possible punishment and Samsung have requested one.
An Apple statement said: “Samsung is using a strategy which has been rejected by courts and regulators around the world.
“They’ve admitted that it’s against the interests of consumers in Europe and elsewhere, yet here in the US Samsung continues to try to block the sale of Apple products by using patents they agreed to license to anyone for a reasonable fee.”
