US trade commission: Xbox 360 violates Motorola patents

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has ruled that Microsoft's Xbox 360 does indeed infringe Motorola's intellectual property rights.

The ITC issued its preliminary findings yesterday, backing four out of the five claims made by Motorola against Microsoft. These include patents covering the efficient transfer of video files and take in how the unit can connect to the internet over a wireless network.

Microsoft bravely re-stated its belief that it is in the right and that it will eventually prevail in the case.

"Motorola will be held to its promise to make its standard essential patents available on fair and reasonable terms," it told newsagency AFP.

If the ITC makes its preliminary verdict final, Microsoft faces a ban in on the import of the Xbox 360 into the US. While the ITC can't force a direct sales ban, blocking imports of kit made entirely outside the States is effectively the same thing.

Earlier this month, Microsoft successfully persuaded a US District Court to prevent any such retail ban until the court has decided whether or not Motorola made its intellectual property accessible and available on reasonable terms, which Microsoft maintains it has not. ®