Samsung asks for US import ban on Iphones and Ipads

KOREAN HARDWARE MAKER Samsung has requested that the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ban imports of Apple's Ithings.

The firm, which is currently engaged in a tit-for-tat row with the fruit themed company, made the demand in a filing earlier this week, according to Reuters. In its filing it requested that the ITC ban Iphone, Ipad and Ipod imports until, presumably, it gets satisfaction.

Patents are at the heart of this technology argument, of course, and Samsung is arguing that the Iphone, Ipad and Ipod infringe five of its patents.

Samsung isn't doing too well with its arguments so far, however, as just last week it was denied its request to see prototype Iphone 5 and Ipad 3 models. That action was in response to Apple suing Samsung for copying its designs.

It does not require much effort to see that smartphones and tablets are rather similar in design, but then it would be hard for any manufacturer to veer away from designs that will (a), fit in one hand or (b), fit in two hands. µ