Obama Vetos ITC Ban on Older iPhones, iPads

The Obama Administration has vetoed an ITC ban on the sale of older iPhones and iPads including the AT&T iPhone 4 and iPad 2, reports the WSJ.

U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman made the decision to veto the ban on the Apple devices, citing concerns about patent holders gaining "undue leverage." He said Samsung could continue to pursue its patent rights through the courts. The action marked the first time since 1987 that a presidential administration had vetoed a product ban ordered by the U.S. International Trade Commission.

The ban had raised concerns about allowing companies to use standard essential patents to block rival products.


In a letter from the Executive Office of the President, Ambassador Michael B. G. Froman said, "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. This decision is based on my review of the various policy considerations discussed above as they relate to the effect on competitive conditions in the U.S. economy and the effect on U.S. consumers."

Apple praised the Obama administration for "standing up for innovation".

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