Microsoft Wins Motorola Phones Ban in the US

U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) found that several models of Motorola phones infringe a patent owned by Microsoft, so the import of such devices will not enter the U.S.

U.S. President Barack Obama, who has up to 60 days to block the decision through veto, has already issued the order. The decision does not explain exactly which the models are, but previously Microsoft called for banning the most popular models – ATRIX, Droid X, Droid 2, Defy, Backflip and Xoom tablet – but many others too: Bravo, Charm, CLIQ, CLIQ 2, CLIQ XT, Devour, Droid 2 Global, Droid Pro, Droid X2, Flipout, Flipside and Spice.

Motorola infringes the patent No. 6,370,566 from 1998. It covers scheduling meetings using email addresses and information on contacts and on events synchronization between phones and PC.

Also, Motorola will have to set aside 33 cents for each device that enters the country during the two months of presidential review. The amount is much smaller than the 5 to 15 dollars that Microsoft charges the other manufacturers that have license agreements with them (Samsung, HTC, LG, Viewsonic or Pantech).

The situation is not as bad as it sounds for Motorola, since the company can find in the two months a way to avoid the patent in question. Also, Motorola can license the technology, but this in unlikely to happen.

Microsoft sued Motorola in 2010, accusing the company that it violates 9 patents. Among these, two got ruled out in the lawsuit and another six did not infringe patents as concluded by the court. Unlike Apple, which wants to block its opponents in order to sell more, Microsoft aims for licensing its technologies by other companies.

About Laurentiu Stan

Laurentiu is a young writer, who seeks to become a big name in the news field. He discovers his passion for writing in primary school and starts with short essays in his mother tongue. In college he begins writing essays in English as a freelancer, being attracted by news reporting. Now he’s the one who brings you the latest news as soon as they happen! He’s a soccer fan, music enthusiast and loves to travel.