Sony has filed a patent infringement complaint against LG Electronics, seeking to block it from importing smartphones into the USA. In a filing with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), Sony claims that LG is violating U.S. trade rules by importing products that infringed Sony patents.
Sony also claims that LG is infringing on patents of some of its own licensees, including Sony Ericsson, Samsung and Nokia. The patents cited involve audio and microphone devices in phones, caller ID technology and transmission power.
Sony says that the patent infringement relates to more than 10 phones including the Encore, LG Accolade, Neon, Quantum, Rumor Touch and others. If upheld, then the ITV has the power to block imports of those smartphones into the USA.
An LG Electronics spokeswoman said the company doesn’t comment on pending legal matters.
The ITC case is In Re Certain Mobile Telephones and Modems, DN 2777