Samsung asks ITC to ban import of iPhone, iPod, iPad

The escalation continues in the dispute between Apple and Samsung, with the Korean conglomerate now asking the International Trade Commission (ITC) to ban the import of iPhones, iPods, and iPads.

If the ITC agrees to investigate such a complaint (which is pretty certain to happen here), a final decision is reached within 16 to 18 months.

We've seen ITC complaints, both from and against Apple, several times already, and it seems like a fairly common weapon in the legal arsenal. Asking for and getting a ban are two very different things, however, and Apple could be considering an ITC complaint of their own.

Or, if Apple's "copy-cat" lawsuit pans out, maybe Samsung will succeed in getting their own devices banned as well?

Samsung and Apple remain partners on the manufacturing side. For now.

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Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.