Monday's ruling came just hours before the restriction was to take effect, handing a victory to the beverage industry, restaurants and other business groups that called the rule unfair and wrong-headed.
Apple also forced Synaptics to take its logo off its circuit boards and forbade it to discuss the relationship in public or with other customers--a restriction that remains in effect even today.
The two groups joined a lawsuit filed by the American Beverage Association and others that seeks to block the restriction, set to take effect March 12.
However, Mr Walsh said that "the new transport secretary has made it clear that she wants this issue addressed and has set up a smaller working group with immediate effect to see how quickly this restriction can be revised".