Apple and Samsung Electronics, which are locked in a number of patent lawsuits around the world, face another showdown at the U.S. International Trade Commission on Friday. That is when the ITC announces its preliminary ruling on Apple's patent-infringement lawsuit against Samsung.

The ITC is a federal agency of the U.S. that has jurisdiction over trade within the U.S. and has the power to halt imports.

Apple and Samsung filed separate lawsuits against each other at the ITC after their patent-infringement battle began in a U.S. court last year. Both companies have asked the ITC to halt imports of the other side's products citing patent violations, which constitute unfair trade practices. Both Samsung and Apple manufacture all the smartphones for U.S. sale in China and other countries.

The ITC already issued its preliminary ruling in Samsung's suit against Apple by throwing out the Korean electronics giant's case. The ruling on Friday involve Apple's suit against Samsung. The ITC will announce the final ruling in February next year but apparently rarely overturns preliminary rulings.