itc

The intellectual property battle between Samsung and Apple has grown a bit more serious: Samsung has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to block the importation of iPads, iPhones, and iPods into the United States for patent violations. It's not a hollow threat.

Apple is the most revered technology company on the planet for good reason, but has it become the victim of it own success? Three years after rocking the mobile phone industry with the iPhone, Apple now faces growing government scrutiny over possible anticompetitive practices.

The U.S. International Trade Commission's decision favoring domestic steelmakers over Chinese exporters brought an immediate condemnation from China. It also likely ensures that the growing spat, which also includes Europe, will extend into 2010.