Apple Inc. (AAPL). Samsung ITC Patent Case Decision Delayed Until May 31

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) – which is the second most-held stock by hedge funds that we track – has been conducting a protracted, pitched battle against Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., over patents. The two companies have been in courtrooms in 10 countries on four continents – including a couple of trade commission administrative judges – battling over intellectual property and market share for their respective handsets.

A huge trade decision was due to come down any day now, but the U.S. International Trade Commission has announced that it would delay its decision on a case involving Apple Inc. facing charges that it had infringed on Samsung patents and was facing a possible U.S. ban on its devices. The full ITC was considering the case in the wake of a ruling by an administrative law judge who ruled in September that Apple had not infringed the patents. If the ITC overturns the initila decision, Apple could have its infringing devices banned from U.S. shelves.

The stakes are equally high at the ITC for Samsung, which is facing a similar case brought by Apple Inc., which claims that Samsung has infringed on four Apple patents in making some of its devices. A judge has already ruled that yes, Samsung had infringed on the Apple patents in question. The reason for the delay on this current Apple vs. Samsung case is because the full commission has asked for more information to answer questions about the impact of an Apple ban on the public and determining whether there are reasonable alternatives to the Apple devices in the marketplace currently.

What do you think? Could you answer the questions asked by the commission? Is Apple Inc. in trouble with its devices in the U.S.? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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