U.S. trade office upholds ban on some Samsung devices

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A U.S. International Trade Commission ban on some Samsung Electronics devices will remain in effect, Trade Representative Michael Froman ruled Tuesday.

Froman upheld the ban on Samsung products, which the commission previously ruled infringed on Apple Inc. patents -- including one that allows an electronic device to react when earplugs are plugged in, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Although rarely exercised, Froman has the authority to veto the ban, which can be done within 60 days of an ITC ruling, the Journal said.

A Samsung representative said the decision "will serve only to reduce competition and limit choice for the American consumer."

Samsung said it had devices that would allow it to continue to serve U.S. customers, which Froman pointed out in his ruling, referring to Samsung's "design-around technologies."

Froman did veto a ban on some Apple products in August -- the first such veto since 1987 -- which promoted Samsung to suggest a similar ruling on its behalf would be in order.

Samsung claimed Apple had infringed on its patents, as well, but Froman overturned the ban on the Apple products because Samsung had pledged to allow competitors to license "standard-essential" patents, Froman ruled.