The US International Trade Commission (USITC) has said that it will launch a probe into claims that Taiwan-based smartphone manufacturer HTC infringed portable communications patents held by Apple, a complaint that was first issued in July.
The ITC issued apress release on Mondaystating that it had voted to institue an investigation into legal action brought by Apple against HTC over patents related to portable communications devices, such a user interfaces.
Apple has requested that the USITC issues an exclusion order and a cease and desist order which would effectively ban the import and sale of infringing HTC smartphones and tablets in the US. The authority will assign the case to one of its judges, who will then schedule and begin evidentiary hearings on the complaint.
Last week, theITC said it will look into complaintsmade by Apple that Samsung had copied the designs and packaging of its iPhone and iPad devices, to determine if the Korean vendor had infringed on patents protecting its smartphone and tablet products.
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Recent reportshave suggestedthat despite legal action to the contrary, Apple will not seek a ban on products accused of infringing on the Cupertino-based company’s patents, with the company likely to license its intellectual property rights to both HTC and Samsung.
HTC has repeatedly vowed to fight the charges levied against it and has said it will safeguard its intellectual property rights. The company recent completed the acquisitions ofS3 GraphicsandDashwire, boosting its patent portfolio in light of action brought against it by Apple.
Story byMatt Brian
Matt is the former News Editor for The Next Web. You can follow him on Twitter, subscribe to his updates on Facebook and catch up with him(show all)Matt is the former News Editor for The Next Web. You can follow him onTwitter, subscribe to his updates onFacebookand catch up with him onGoogle+.
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