Samsung asks ITC to block import of Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Earlier this week Samsung filed a complaint with ITC against Apple and asked the government agency to block the import of Apple’s iPod, iPhone, and iPad. The battle between Apple and Samsung has been long drawn out. In April Apple sued Samsung over the Samsung Galaxy S, Galaxy Tab, and other products, alleging that Samsung was infringing on its intellectual property by creating copycat devices. Samsung bit back later that month and sued Apple in its own intellectual property lawsuit. Both Apple and Samsung requested that the other company show its upcoming products, but the court forced Samsung to show its new devices and denied access to Apple’s next iPhone and iPad. Apple filed another patent lawsuit against Samsung last week, again alleging that the company making unlawful use of protected IP. According to FOSSPatents, a decision on the import band could be reached in 16 to 18 months. The legal battles could take a toll on Apple and Samsung’s relationship; Apple remains the largest buyer of Samsung’s LCD products, and FOSSPatents said there are reports that Apple is planning to drop Samsung from its list of component suppliers.

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