ITC to investigate Qualcomm patent complaint
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to investigate whether a number of mobile devices infringe patents owned by telecoms equipment company Qualcomm.
In October, WIPR reported that Qualcomm had filed a complaint against Chinese electronics company Meizu in the US, Germany and France for allegedly infringing its patents.
The products concerned are “electronic mobile devices that include hardware and software components within the mobile electronic devices, such as integrated circuits, cameras, RF transmitters, capacitors, and system-on-chips”, according to the ITC.
Qualcomm had “alleged violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the US and sale of certain mobile electronic devices that infringe patents asserted by the complainant”.
The technology company requested that the ITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease-and-desist orders.
The ITC’s chief administrative law judge will assign the case to one of the agency’s administrative law judges (ALJs), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing.
Then, the ALJ will make an initial determination of whether there is a violation of section 337, with the initial determination subject to review by the commission.
A spokesperson for Meizu told WIPR: "Meizu has worked with Qualcomm to advance towards an agreement. We respect Qualcomm’s right to use legal measures if they are unsatisfied with the progress, but still welcome them to proceed the negotiations with us at any time."
