Apple has lost a ruling to Samsung that could ban older iPhones and iPads from being imported into the US. The Wall Street Journal reports:

"The U.S. International Trade Commission on Tuesday ruled that Apple violated a Samsung patent covering technology used to send information over wireless networks. Unless vetoed by President Barack Obama or blocked by an appeals court, the ruling would bar the importation of certain iPhones and iPads made to work on AT&T Inc Network. Among them are the iPhone 4, the iPhone 3GS, the iPad 3G, the iPad 2 3G and the iPad 3."

It is the latest in a growing battle between Samsung and Apple over patents, Apple was awarded $1 billion in damages against Samsung infringing it's patents just last year.

Interestingly President Obama announced yesterday that he would be introducing legislation to combat the increasing problem of patent litigation and in particular patent trolls - companies that do not produce any products of there own but instead buy and register patents sometimes quite broad in the hope of winning a big pay day by suing large companies.

I can't imagine the ruling holding up under appeal, but one thing is for sure patent law needs to be reformed in the US.

In case you missed my previous post on Samsung's innovating history check out the below photo and make up your own mind!