Microsoft phones face import ban for patent infringement

Microsoft could be banned from importing a number of its smartphones into the U.S. after it was found guilty of patent infringement. The software giant used wireless cellular technology owned by InterDigital without permission. U.S. International Trade Commission judge Theodore Essex found Microsoft guilty of infringing two patents owned by InterDigital, which reportedly cover technology that moderates a mobile phone’s power to reduce signal interference. The judge said “it would not be against the public interest to ban the Microsoft devices from import into the United States,” Recode reports. The decision must be reviewed by the full commission before an import ban can be instated, however, the ITC has the power to impose a ban if it determines that a product infringes a U.S. patent. InterDigital, a patent licensee based in Wilmington, Delaware, first accused Nokia of infringing its patents back in 2007, and although the Finnish firm was initially cleared, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned the decision and sent the case back to the ITC. But Microsoft is confident it will come out on top in the end. “We have a successful track record challenging patent assertion entities that misuse industry standards,” the company said in a statement to Recode. The full commission is expected to complete its review in late August; we’ll know then whether or not Microsoft will be banned from importing certain devices into the U.S. To continue reading, click here. http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/04/28/microsoft-phones-face-import-ban-for-patent-infringement/ (These latest Intellectual Property (IP) news and events presented here, are prepared and compiled by us, the World Patent & Trademark Law Office (WPTO),for your reference and information)