InterDigital slaps Nokia, Huawei, ZTE with ITC ban threat
updated 12:25 pm EDT, Tue July 26, 2011
InterDigital uses ITC against Huawei, Nokia, ZTE
InterDigital momentarily overlooked its plans to sell itself on Tuesday and filed a complaint at the International Trade Commission against Huawei, Nokia, and ZTE. It claims that any devices the trio makes that use either WCDMA (HSPA) or CDMA2000 for 3G violates at least one of seven patents. Phones, tablets, portable routers, and other devices all qualify, the company said.
As with most ITC complaints, InterDigital is hoping for a permanent ban on selling the products in the US unless the companies agree to pay for a license. InterDigital insists it made "good faith efforts" to negotiate but couldn't come to a deal.
ITC officials will decide whether or not to look into the cases within the next 30 days. Most of its cases take several months but do give the companies involved a chance to appeal.
Neither Huawei, Nokia, nor ZTE had commented on the dispute.
InterDigital creates technology but, as an effectively non-contributing company, has effectively made its business one of licensing patents under the direct threat of a lawsuit. The firm claims its current model is profitable but is believed to be entertaining the possibility of selling itself to Apple, Google, or others to give them an edge in either attacking other companies or defending against others' lawsuits.
