It appears that Apple has been found to be in violation of a Samsung patent. This time the shoe is on the other foot! This has resulted in a limited import ban on certain products of Apple’s that includes the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, Original iPad 3G, and iPad 2 3G. But these are only AT&T specific models. Those on Verizon are fine. Details are still currently emerging about this but it appears to only affect older devices on AT&T because it relates to a specific component that was used before Apple expanded to other carriers.
This import ban could result in Apple not being able to sell these devices in the US, but that’s if all appeals fail and the decision is upheld, since Apple wouldn’t be able to bring the devices into the country from its overseas suppliers and manufacturers facilities. The Verge notes that since this is an ITC ruling, it would need to be appealed to the White House or Federal Circuit to be overturned.
If this does result in an effective ban, it wouldn’t hurt Apple to much. As the iPhone 3GS isn’t sold anymore, the iPhone 4 will likely be at end of life once they release the iPhone 5S later this year, and the iPads are already 2-3 generations behind before the new iPad releases later this year. You can check out the full decision here But this is good news for Samsung, and somewhat bad news for Apple. I can’t see that the devices in question are actually selling all that well right now anyways.
How many of you are glad to see an import ban on Apple this time? Let us know in the comments down below.