The International Trade Commission on Wednesday agreed to hear Apple's patent complaint against Samsung.
The ITC "has voted to institute an investigation of certain electronic digital media devices and components thereof. The products at issue in this investigation include mobile phone handsets and tablet computers, in addition to components such as software, touchpads, and hardware interfaces," the commission said in a statement. Apple wants to block the import of Samsung Galaxy S phones and Galaxy Tab tablets.
The move is the latest round in the recent battle between Apple and Samsung, which started several months ago when Apple sued Samsung for copying the look and feel of its iPhone and iPad with its Galaxy S line of smartphones and tablets, among other devices. Samsung responded with a countersuit that targeted Apple for infringing on five patents relating to wireless networking technology.
Apple has accused Samsung of "slavishly copy Apple's innovative technology, distinctive user interfaces, and elegant and distinctive product and packaging design, in violation of Apple's intellectual property rights."
In late June, Samsung took the fight to the ITC and Apple followed suit several days later. Last week, the ITC agreed to examine Samsung's complaint and now, it will also assess Apple's filing.
The news comes about a week after the ITC found that Apple's Mac OS X operating system violates patents from S3 Graphics related to graphics chips, though iOS does not, which could result in a U.S. ban on imports of certain Macs. S3 is in the midst of being acquired by HTC, which is also battling Apple over patents and recently suffered a loss when the ITC said HTC may have infringed on two Apple patents. HTC responded by suing Apple in the U.K. this week.