14 DAY TRIAL // Apple and Samsung have responded to the decision from US President Barack Obama to veto an ITC product ban on the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, the first-generation iPad (3G + Wi-Fi), and iPad 2 (3G+Wi-Fi).
Keeping the media in suspense, the Obama Administration Obama took 60 days to conclude that Samsung was not entitled to any compensation in its various patent suits against Apple.
The decision was announced in a four-page letter by Ambassador Michael Froman to Irving A. Williamson, chairman of the U.S. ITC.
“After extensive consultations with the agencies of the Trade Policy Staff Committee and the Trade Policy Review Group, as well as other interested agencies and persons, I have decided to disapprove the USITC’s determination to issue an exclusion order and cease and desist order in this investigation,” Froman said, according to Forbes.
Froman added that the administration had taken into account the “effect on competitive conditions in the U.S. economy and the effect on U.S. consumers.”
In response, a satisfied Apple Inc. responded with the following statement.
“We applaud the Administration for standing up for innovation in this landmark case. Samsung was wrong to abuse the patent system in this way.”
Samsung was not as happy with Obama’s decision, adding, “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,” the Korean company added.
Whether or not this ruling will affect the duo’s already defunct relationship remains to be seen.
In recent weeks we reported that Apple and Samsung were still in bed over A-series chip production, as well as iPad displays.
Both companies benefit from each other’s orders, but Apple and Samsung heavily compete with one another in the mobile space.
Amid this decision from the Obama Administration, perhaps it is also worth noting that Apple has scored its second big win against its Asian rival.
In the summer of 2012, a California Judge presiding over a similar patent dispute between the two electronics giants granted Apple $1 billion (€753.239.000) in compensation.
The company’s CEO applauded the decision, calling it crucial “for Apple and for innovators everywhere.”