Samsung Electronics Co., the world's largest smartphone maker, Wednesday welcomed a decision by a U.S. agency to ban imports of iPhones into one of the world's major smartphone markets.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) said on Tuesday in Washington that Apple Inc. infringed on some of Samsung's patents in making smartphones and tablet computers, and issued an order prohibiting Apple, based in California, from importing wireless communication devices, portable music and data processing devices, and tablet computers.

The order will be sent to U.S. President Barack Obama, who has 60 days to review it. If he does not veto the order, it will go into effect. The ruling would deal a blow to Apple's production and sales of some iPhone and iPad models, largely older ones.

"ITC's decision made it clear that Apple has made an unauthorized use of Samsung's patents," Samsung Electronics said.

"We will do our best to defend our intellectual property rights."

In June 2011, Samsung Electronics filed a complaint with the U.S. government agency, claiming Apple products infringed on four of its technology patents, including those on data transmission and dialing method.

Even if the decision is finalized with a U.S. presidential approval, it is likely to have a limited impact on Apple since Samsung's complaints do not address some of the latest products such as the iPhone 5 and the iPad mini.

The ruling marks the latest development in the patent row between Samsung Electronics and Apple, the world's two biggest smartphone makers that have been fighting to protect their stakes in the lucrative smartphone sector.

In March of this year, the South Korean smartphone maker scored a victory on Apple's home turf as U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh scaled back a previous penalty order worth US$1.05 billion.

Koh ordered Samsung Electronics to pay Apple $598.9 million, roughly $450 million less than the initial decision, citing calculation errors in a U.S. jury's decision.

Meanwhile, the ITC is set to issue a final ruling on Apple's complaints against Samsung Electronics in August. (Yonhap News)