ITC bans import of iPhones, iPads in US

A US trade agency, on June 4, issued a ruling that would ban Apple Inc. from importing its several models of iPhone and iPad into the United States.

After finding the devices violate a patent held by South Korean rival Samsung Electronics, the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a ban on imports of iPhone 4 and a variant of iPad 2 tablet.

The ruling, based on a complaint made by South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., finds that several iPad and iPhone models—including iPhone 4—violate several claims of a patent held by Samsung.

U.S. President Barack Obama has 60 days to overturn the ruling.

The ITC ruling, which largely backs an initial ruling made by one of its administrative law judges, also finds that Apple's products do not violate other patents asserted by Samsung.

Apple is likely to appeal the ruling.

Apple and Samsung have been engaged in patent battles in many parts of the globe for the past two years. The legal wrangling has strained the relationship of the long-time partners.