Apple can continue to sell the AT&T iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, and the first- and second-generation 3G iPads in the U.S. after the Obama administration overturned an import ban on the devices, Bloomberg reports. The import ban, which was to start today, came about after the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that Apple violated a Samsung standards-essential patent. However, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said the ban was unwarranted, as Samsung could continue to seek financial damages without stopping Apple from selling the devices.
An Apple spokeswoman told AllThingsD, “We applaud the administration for standing up for innovation in this landmark case. Samsung was wrong to abuse the patent system in this way. On the other side, a Samsung spokesman said, “We are disappointed that the U.S. Trade Representative has decided to set aside the exclusion order issued by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). The ITC’s decision correctly recognized that Samsung has been negotiating in good faith and that Apple remains unwilling to take a license.” The matter isn’t completely over, as Samsung has already said it’s been granted an appeal hearing on the issue next year, according to the Financial Times.