Zee Media BureauNew Delhi: US International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a verdict on Monday that was music to Apple’s ears. ITC ruled out that Apple did not violate a Google patent to make the popular iPhones.
If Apple had been found guilty of violating the patent, the ITC could have imposed an import ban against Apple’s flagship device in the United States.
Apple was initially accused of infringing on six patents for iPhone-related technology covering everything from reducing signal noise to programming the device's touchscreen so a user's head does not accidentally activate it while talking on the phone.
Google upset with the verdict, released a statement saying, "We're disappointed with this outcome and are evaluating our options." However, Google can appeal the decision to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
This comes as a major setback for the search engine giant, as it raises questions on its decision of buying Motorola Mobility, which was intended to bolster its patent fight in the dynamic smartphone market.
Google acquired the patents in the case - and the lawsuit - when it purchased Motorola Mobility for USD 12.5 billion in 2012, partly for its library of telecommunications patents.
First Published: Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 13:45