ITC Rules For Apple In Samsung IPhone, IPad Patent Challenge
California — Apple Inc.’s iPhones and iPads do not infringe on any Samsung Electronics Co. patents, a U.S. International Trade Commission judge said Friday, marking another win for Apple in its global patent war with its South Korean rival.
Samsung initiated the Section 337 investigation with the ITC last year, alleging Apple has been importing into the U.S. electronic devices including wireless communication devices, portable music and data devices and tablet computers, namely the iPhone and iPad, that infringe Samsung’s patents.
ITC Administrative Law Judge James Gildea’s initial determination in the case found no violations of Section 337 in the importation of Apple’s devices as they relate to any of Samsung’s asserted patents, U.S. Patent Numbers 7,706,348, 7,486,644, 6,771,980 and 7,450,114.
The ruling places one more victory in Apple’s column in its battle with Samsung. In the biggest salvo of that battle yet, a $1 billion jury verdict handed down in August against Samsung in the Northern District of California sent shockwaves through the smartphone industry and the greater technology sector at large.
Samsung has also scored several wins for itself in other countries, though, including recent favorable court decisions in Japan and its home of South Korea.
Samsung’s Galaxy S III phone and 20 other products came under attack from Apple Inc. in a new amended complaint filed in California federal court earlier in September.