Yesterday, the Obama administration stepped in and vetoed an import ban on iPhone 4s and some iPad models. Samsung had won the ban from the International Trade Commission. This is the first time since 1987 that a president has interfered with an ITC order.
Samsung won the patent case back in June. In a statement, Samsung said:
“We are disappointed that the U.S. Trade Representative has decided to set aside the exclusion order issued by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). The ITC’s decision correctly recognized that Samsung has been negotiating in good faith and that Apple remains unwilling to take a license.”
Of course, Apple is happy about the decision. An Apple rep told All Things D that “We applaud the Administration for standing up for innovation in this landmark case. Samsung was wrong to abuse the patent system in this way.”
Image: Christopher Dilts for Obama for America