Samsung group vs Apple Inc: Panel to review split ruling in patent fight

Samsung had infringed one Apple patent for a text-selection feature in its smartphones and tablets.

A trade panel that specializes in patent cases will reconsider a split decision made by one of its judges in a long-running patent battle between Apple Inc and Samsung group.

The International Trade Commission said late Tuesday it would take a second look at an ITC judge’s decision that Samsung had infringed one Apple patent for a text-selection feature in its smartphones and tablets.

It will also look at the judge’s decision,made in March,that the South Korean company,which supplies some Apple chips,did not infringe a second patent which detects if a microphone or other device is plugged into its microphone jack.

A final decision is due on August 1.

The ITC is a popular venue for patent battles because it can ban imported goods from the United States if they are found to infringe patents.

Apple had filed a complaint in mid-2011,accusing Samsung of infringing its patents in making its Galaxy,Transform and Nexus mobile devices,among others.

The case at the International Trade Commission is No. 337-796.