It feels like it's been a while since we've heard any big news in the ongoing legal war between Apple and Samsung, but that ends today. The U.S. International Trade Commission announced today (PDF link) that it has issued an import ban on the AT&T versions of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G following limited exclusion and cease and desist orders.

The five devices were deemed to have infringed upon claims 75-76 and 82-84 of the Samsung-owned U.S. Patent No. 7,706,348, which is described as an "apparatus and method for encoding/decoding transport format combination indicator in CDMA mobile communication system." Today's decision by the ITC is a final determination, which The Next Web notes can only be overturned by the White House or Federal Circuit Courts.

While the five Apple products that are subject to today's import ban aren't exactly the freshest iOS devices around, this is still a win for Samsung that covers several different products. Apple and Samsung have been trading legal blows since early 2011, but this is one of the larger Samsung victories that we've seen to date. Now that Samsung has emerged victorious in this part of the battle, the order is subject to a 60-day Presidential Review period. Apple also has the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Federal Circuit Courts. Neither Apple nor Samsung have issued a statement on today's ruling, but I'll update you if they have anything to say.

UPDATE: In a statement given to CNBC, Apple said that it's "disappointed" with the ITC's decision and that it plans to appeal. The Cupertino firm added that the ruling "has no impact on availability of Apple products in U.S."

Via The Next Web, @ReutersTech, FOSS Patents, U.S. ITC (PDF), @CNBC