South Korea criticizes US reversal of Apple ban

{mosads}South Korea said it hopes the commission will make a “fair and reasonable” decision in the case.

The statement indicates that the global legal war between Apple and Samsung over mobile patents could escalate into a political controversy between the United States and South Korea.

U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman announced the administration’s decision on Saturday to veto an earlier ruling by the International Trade Commission (ITC) against Apple.

The ITC ruled in June that Apple had infringed on a Samsung patent covering wireless technology. The ruling would have banned certain older models of the iPhone and iPad from the U.S. market.

Froman expressed concern that the ban would allow Samsung to gain “undue leverage” and allow it to charge unreasonable rates for the use of its patented technologies. 

It was the first time a president had overturned an ITC product ban since 1987.

The Wall Street Journal notes that Samsung’s market value plunged $1 billion following the administration’s announcement. 

The ITC ruling in favor of Samsung involved a “standard-essential patent,” which covers core technologies that industries agree to use as technical standards. Companies with standard-essential patents must agree to license them on “fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory” terms.  

The Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission have warned that lawsuits over standard-essential patents can stifle competition and ultimately hurt consumers.