Previously, the ITC stated that Apple had infringed on Samsung's rights, and products such as the iPhone 4 and iPad 2 would be banned from sale in the U.S. Although the symbolic significance of this penalty outweighs its practical impact, the U.S. government will absolutely not allow such a thing to happen.
Earlier today, the Obama-led U.S. government indicated that Apple's infringement on Samsung's patents falls under the "standard essential" category, so Samsung should offer Apple a license under FRAND terms instead of attempting to ban Apple's products using this patent.
It is worth noting that since former U.S. President Reagan exercised this right once in 1987, Obama has become the second president to use this power (overturning the ITC's import ban).
In fact, when the ITC delayed the execution date of the sales ban order previously, many analysts believed that there was a high likelihood of this case being overturned. As expected, the prediction came true. Samsung emphasized that Apple has consistently been unwilling to purchase patent licenses, and they expressed great disappointment with the U.S. government's actions.
Of course, Apple is pleased. Their spokesperson subsequently publicly stated that they greatly appreciate the government's choice to support innovation in this landmark patent case, and it is wrong for Samsung to abuse the patent system in this manner.
Additionally, in this event where Obama annulled the ITC's sales ban order, Microsoft, Intel, Oracle, Verizon, AT&T, and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Mike Lee, Barbara Boxer, and Jim Risch all accelerated the process.
Samsung will have to swallow this defeat—after all, it’s the United States of America.