Intel, Microsoft, And Oracle Are Coming To Apple's Defense As iPhone 4 Ban Looms
July 29, 2013
Some of the biggest names in technology are coming to Apple’s aid as it faces a ban of the iPhone 4 by the International Trade Commission (ITC). Intel, Microsoft, and Oracle are now coming to Apple’s defense, according to The Wall Street Journal.
According to the report, BSA, a trade group that represents the three companies has joined Apple in asking President Obama to stop the ban, which takes effect Aug. 4. The group says that the use of essential industry patents to ban products shouldn’t be allowed except under unusual circumstances.
AT&T and Verizon Wireless have also expressed similar concerns.
In June, the ITC ruled that the AT&T versions of Apple’s iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G all infringed on patents owned by Samsung. Of the three devices, the iPhone 4 is the only handset that remains on sale around the world.
The Verizon iPhone 4 is not included in the ban.
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman is said to be “conducting a careful and balanced review process of the ITC decision as established by law and with equal opportunity to consider all perspectives related to the case.”
A U.S. president has not intervened in an ITC ban since President Reagan in 1987. The iPhone 4 was first released in June 2010.
See also: Apple, Samsung Renew Talks To Settle Massive Patent Battle, and Apple Set To Make Its Case On Why Certain Samsung Products Should Be Removed.