Samsung Fails to Win Presidential Veto of Potential U.S. Import Ban in Apple Patent Case

apple_samsung_logosSamsung has failed to win a presidential veto overturning a looming import ban on several of its older mobile devices, reports Bloomberg. The ban is based on a verdict in a U.S. International Trade Commission case in which the company was ruled to have infringed upon patents held by Apple.

“After carefully weighing policy considerations, including the impact on consumers and competition, advice from agencies, and information from interested parties, I have decided to allow” the import ban to proceed, Obama’s designee, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, said in a statement today.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative last month vetoed a similar ban that had been issued against Apple over Samsung patents. That order was the first such veto since 1987 and came amid increasing calls for less reliance on the threat of barring product imports as part of patent litigation strategies. In particular, Samsung's wielding of "standards essential" patents covering basic functions of the device necessary for its operation was seen as overly aggressive when such patents are required to be licensed under reasonable terms.

Samsung had argued that its ban should be overturned on grounds similar to those cited in the Apple ban veto, but Froman disagreed, noting that Samsung had already released several devices with approved workarounds for the features that had been ruled to be infringing upon Apple's patents.

Samsung may still seek a delay in the import ban, but that will require a full review of the case on legal ground by a U.S. appeals court.

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...

Top Rated Comments

Ursadorable Avatar
161 months ago
Copy THAT bitches!
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JAT Avatar
161 months ago
Not surprising. Isn't the govt too busy ignoring its job to do its job?
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Xenu007 Avatar
161 months ago
Samsung is dirty, and everyone knows it

Samsung is as dirty as Steve Jobs was innovative. Some of the components in the products I use may be Samsung, but I will never purchase a Samsung branded product, ever.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rettun1 Avatar
161 months ago
"Samsung fails to win"

That about sums it up right there
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bkushner Avatar
161 months ago
It's all a big farce. A legitimate ban was vetoed and an illegitimate was upheld. Gives you a lesson on our government's protectionism.

The Samesung force is strong in this one. Your cheque is in the mail after 10 more Samesung posts.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Someyoungguy Avatar
161 months ago
Pot calling the kettle. Why are you here?



It is clear. It's protectionism.

Apple didn't take license to those standard setting patents so that's why the veto. So they didn't innovate and didn't pay. And note, essential standards don't just pop out of nowhere. People invent them. So if Apple is held out by not having access to standard essential patents it's because either they didn't pay later, or they didn't participate earlier, by doing R&D and collaborating in the creation of the standard.

In this case, it's not standard essential so Apple doesn't have to offer a license and didn't. So now they're arguing that because Samsung "innovated," it will be punished.

You make my head hurt. Do you also get confused by traffic lights?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)