Samsung setback against Apple

New York - In a preliminary move, a judge at the International Trade Commission has ruled that Apple doesn't violate four Samsung patents.

It's another setback for the South Korean company in a globe-spanning legal battle where Apple and Samsung accuse each other of violating patents.

The ITC judge in Washington also ruled on Friday that the patents don't apply to any domestic industry.

That will make it harder for Samsung to press its case before the full trade commission, says patent litigation expert Florian Mueller.

A jury in California last month ruled that Samsung owes Apple $1.05bn for violating patents on features of the iPhone and iPad.

Apple started taking orders for its new iPhone on Friday.