Google's Motorola Files Patent Case Against Apple; Aims To Block US Imports Of iPhone, iPad, Mac Computers

The complaint was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) August 17. The petition seeks ban on U.S. imports of iPhone, iPad and Mac computers, Bloomberg reported. Apple's products are made in Asia.

The Verge in its report noted that none of the seven patents are considered standards-essential, whereby Motorola is not obligated to license the patents under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms.

"We would like to settle these patent matters, but Apple's unwillingness to work out a license leaves us little choice but to defend ourselves and our engineers' innovations, Motorla said in an e-mail statement to Bloomberg.

Google seems to have its sights set on Apple destruction as a win in this particular suit could deal a major blow to Apple, Digital Trends reported.

Motorola Mobility and Apple have been at loggerheads since 2010 when licensing talks between the two organizations failed. Earlier, Apple contended Motorola Mobility's demands were unreasonable and argued that phones made by Motorola and other handset manufacturers that run on Android operating system copied patented features of the iPhone.

In the first case, a commission is scheduled to announce a final decision August 24 that may probably result in an import ban on iPhone. In the second case that Motorala filed against Apple, a copy of the petition may be made available by August 20. However, in the first case iPad 4G and iPhone 4S would be exempt as they employ Qualcomm chipset, Digital Trends pointed out.

Apple is yet to comment on the second case pursued by Motorola. However, this increases the headache for Apple as it is already engaged in a high-pitched patent-infringement trial with its market rival, Samsung Electronics Co.

The first case filed by Motorola Mobility was filed prior to its acquisition by Google Inc. A key issue in the first case is whether the ITC should issue ban on products found to infringe patents on technology employed in industry standards, Bloomberg added.

The first case pertains to the way computers transmit signals through Wi-Fi wherein Apple holds the stance that federal district court should resolve issues on fair usage and not ITC.

Apple filed its own case against Motorola Mobility with the ITC. A commission in March upheld judge ruling that Motorola was not infringing on Apple patent and two other patents were invalid. Apple is appealing against that ruling.