US: Verizon, Ford told to stay out of Apple, Motorola patent dispute

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit banned Verizon, Ford and the American Association of Advertising Agencies from taking part in the legal dispute between Apple and Motorola regarding smartphone patents. The decision was made Thursday.

The companies were looking to get involved to support the FRAND standard in a joint effort to end import bans of products using standard-essential patents. The three were also encouraging restraint on issued royalty damages.

Apple reportedly approved of the involvement of the three, but Motorola, owned by Google, objected based on the company’s believe the three companies stood in support of Apple.

Motorola originally sued Apple for infringing on its patents for wireless devices; Apple responded with its countersuit in 2010 for touchscreen patent violations. The case continues as a judge denied Motorola’s request for injunctive relief against the iPhone in 2012, a ruling now on appeal by Motorola. The cross-appeal will be heard on September 11, say reports.

Full Content: Apple Insider

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