A few weeks ago we told you that a decision of the ITC could impose a withdrawal from sale of some iDevices of Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), because they infringe certain patents of Samsung. Because it is about FRAND patents that Samsung does not want to license at reasonable prices, those from Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), they tried to convince ITC not to put terminaleled on sale, and she has the support other large US companies. Mobile phone operators AT&T and Verizon, Intel, a group that represents Microsoft, Oracle or Intel, called BSA, and even officials of the Department of Justice support finding an alternative solution to removing the terminals from sale.
AT&T said the ITC [International Trade Commission] ruling would eliminate a popular low-cost iPhone for AT&T customers and was "inconsistent with the president's goal of ubiquitous broadband deployment."" BSA, a trade group representing software makers including Microsoft Corp. and Oracle Corp. and chip maker Intel Corp., said the use of essential industry patents to ban products should not be allowed except under unusual circumstances. Intel is scheduled to testify at the Senate hearing and previously filed its concerns with the ITC.
Apart from these entities, the White House was brought into play, petitions being sent to President Obama to use his right of veto and prohibit the application of a possible measure to remove the terminals from sale. Of course, no one knows what will happen in the end, but Apple has close ties with the presidential administration and could request the use of the right of veto in this case. If no one will manage to help Apple in any way, then at the beginning of next month several iDevices will be removed from sale.
