Microsoft escaped what could have been a harmful ban on its devices as the U.S. International Trade Commission decided not to block the import of Microsoft’s smartphones into the U.S. Microsoft lost a patent case against InterDigital in April when it was found to be infringing on two patents.
The individual trade judge who reached that decision recommended Microsoft’s handsets be banned from import. The full ITC panel rejected that judge’s decision on Friday, however, which means Microsoft will continue to be allowed to bring its handsets into the U.S. Microsoft expressed relief at the decision, while InterDigital voiced disappointment. Earlier this month, Microsoft filed an antitrust lawsuit against InterDigital, claiming the company charges exorbitant fees for standard-essential patents. Such patents must be licensed at fair, reasonable, and non-discrimonatory rates.
InterDigital is a patent-holding company and has had mixed success in suing companies such as Samsung, ZTE, and Huawei.
