Motorola Smartphones Face US Import Ban For Infringing On Ericsson's 5G Patents

In a big development, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a preliminary ruling that could likely restrict the import of certain Motorola smartphones into the US, according to a report by news agency Reuters. The decision comes in the wake of a patent dispute between Swedish telecommunications giant Ericsson and Lenovo-owned Motorola Mobility.

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The US ITC judge determined that several Motorola smartphone models, including devices from the popular Moto G, Edge, and Razr product lines, violated Ericsson's patent rights specifically related to 5G wireless technology. This initial ruling represents a notable victory for Ericsson in its ongoing global intellectual property dispute with China-based Lenovo.

Final Verdict In April 2025

The final decision on this matter is scheduled for April, when the full commission will review the case. This latest development follows a contrasting ruling from last month, where a different ITC judge found in favour of Lenovo in a related case.

Ericsson-Lenovo Dispute 

The dispute extends beyond US borders, with parallel legal proceedings ongoing in multiple jurisdictions including South America, the United Kingdom, and North Carolina. 

As of the announcement, representatives from both companies have not provided official responses to the ruling.

Notably, Ericsson has already secured preliminary injunctions in Brazil and Colombia, temporarily halting Lenovo smartphone sales in these markets. However, a US appeals court recently breathed new life into Lenovo's efforts to challenge these South American sales restrictions.