Samsung has withdrawn its legal bid to ban the sale of Apple’s iPhone and iPad in European markets incluing the UK.

The Korean electronics manufacturer initiated proceedings against Apple last year, after the Silicon Valley giant accused Samsung of "blatantly copying" the design of the iPad and iPhone in its Galaxy range of devices.

In response, Samsung filed two complaints with the European Commission alleging that the iPhone and iPad infringed its patented 3G technology.

That prompted the EC to launch an antitrust investigation of Samsung, warning the company not to abuse its ownership of what are known as ‘standard essential patents’ (SEPs) – i.e. patents on technologies that are essential for devices to meet standards such as 3G.

This week, Samsung withdrew its complaints. “Samsung remains committed to licensing our technologies on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, and we strongly believe it is better when companies compete fairly in the marketplace, rather than in court,” it said in the statement.

Writing on his blog FossPatents.com, technology analyst Florian Mueller said there was “no doubt whatsoever” that pressure from the European Commission was behind Samsung’s decision.

Mueller added that Samsung could still seek monetary compensation, “which would not raise antitrust issues, while sales bans do”.

Earlier this week, an attempt by Apple to ban sales of Samsung’s Galaxy devices in the US was overruled.