A U.S. trade agency ruled Monday that some HTC Corp. smartphones that use Google’s Android software infringe an Apple patent and ordered HTC to stop importing these handsets from April 19, 2012

A U.S. trade agency ruled Monday that some HTC Corp. smartphones that use Google’s Android software infringe an Apple patent and ordered HTC to stop importing these handsets from April 19, 2012, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Pending U.S. President Barack Obama’s review and HTC’s possible appeal, the ban will be delayed in enforcement.

HTC said it was disappointed over the ruling, but said the company had made full preparation and worked out alternative plans for a patent involved in the infringement case.

This has been the first such among dozens of “patent wars” with a clear ruling since 2010. Apple has been actively seeking legal actions to block growth of Android-powered smartphones, including handsets provided by Samsung Electronics and HTC.

Apple filed a complaint earlier last March to the ITC, claiming that HTC handsets infringe iPhone’s patents and demanding a sale ban in U.S. market. HTC responded by filing cases against Apple seeking to bar Apple from selling its products.