A staff attorney for US International Trade Commission (ITC) recommended that the agency should set aside with HTC and Nokia in their patent dispute with Apple, Bloomberg New on Monday claimed.

Apple claims that some smartphones being manufactured by HTC and Nokia infringe on its patents. The Cupertino-based technology giant is asking the ITC to impose a ban on the import of HTC’s and Nokia’s concerned products.

But staff attorney Erin Joffre, who acts on behalf of the public, said that HTC and Nokia should not be found liable of infringing Apple’s patents.

There are five disputed patents that Apple claims are important for its iOS seamless integration of hardware and software. But, HTC lawyer Robert Van Nest that the concerned technologies were a narrow distinction from those developed by others.

Arguing on the issue, Apple lawyer Greg Arovas said, “What makes Apple products so successful is not just what you see, but what’s under the hood.”

Attorney Joffre’s recommendations are non-binding to quasi-judicial federal agency ITC that arbitrates trade disputes.

ITC Judge Carl Charneski will disclose his findings on 5th of August. In case Apple wins, the ITC could bar the import of concerned smartphones.