White House overturns ITC ruling to back Apple in Samsung patent case
White House overturns trade decision saying banning older iPhones and iPads would have been too disruptive to consumers and the economy
In a rare step, the White House has overturned a decision that would have forced Apple to stop selling some iPhones and iPads in the US.
US Trade Representative Michael Froman, an Obama appointee, has issued a letter explaining the decision to make such a rare intervention in a trade dispute. The last time the White House vetoed a decision by the US International Trade Commission was 1987.
"I have decided to disapprove the USITC's determination to issue an exclusion order and cease and desist order in the investigation," Froman wrote.
The decision comes two months after the ITC ruled that some older Apple gadgets violated a Samsung patent that covers a method for transmitting data.
In a statement, Apple said: "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 wrong to abuse the patent system in this way
In its own statement, Samsung said it was disappointed and that "the ITC's decision correctly recognised that Samsung has been negotiating in good faith and that Apple remains unwilling to take a licence."