The U.S. International Trade Commission ordered a ban on Thursday of some imported cell phone models containing Qualcomm Inc. chips that infringe on a Broadcom Corp. patent.
The import ban covers new cell phone models that contain the infringing chips, but also exempts those imported for sale to the general public on or before the June 7, 2007 date of its order, the ITC said.
“The commission determined that barring importation of downstream products, with an exemption for certain previously imported models, will substantially reduce the burdens imposed on third parties while affording meaningful relief to the patent holder,” the ITC said in its order.
ITC is an independent federal agency with the authority to determine whether imported products infringe U.S. patents, trade marks or copyrights.
Four of the ITC’s six commissioners voted in favor of the remedy. The remaining two dissented, arguing for a less stringent remedy against Qualcomm.
