Samsung asks ITC to ban import of Apple products in latest legal complaint

The request for an import ban is standard procedure for an ITC complaint. For example, in January of 2010 Apple asked the ITC to ban in the import of Nokia-made handsets.

As noted by Florian Mueller at FOSS Patents, it's extremely likely that the ITC will agree to investigate Samsung's complaint against Apple, and a final decision would be reached within 16 to 18 months.

The latest legal filing comes as rumors continue to mount that Apple plans to move away from Samsung for supplies for its custom-built ARM processors. One rumor that surfaced this week, claims that Apple will have its next-generation A6 chip built instead by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in 2012.

The success of the iPhone and iPad has made Apple the largest customer of Samsung, with the Cupertino, Calif., company expected to buy $7.8 billion in components from its rival this year.

The courtroom showdown began in April, when Apple sued Samsung and accused the rival electronics maker of creating devices that copy the look and feel of the hardware and software found on the iPhone and iPad. Specifically cited were products like the Galaxy S smartphone and Galaxy Tab touchscreen tablet.

Samsung fired back with its own legal action, accusing Apple of violating patents related to mobile devices. That complaint was filed in a San Jose, Calif., court.