Apple has in Germany a patentzaak lost that Motorola has brought. With the judgment can Motorola a preliminary sales ban claim for Apple’s 3g products, but it is also possible that the manufacturer licentiegeld will ask.
According to the German court, Apple infringed on a patent that a technique for data communication, describes, reports patentenblog Foss Patents. Therefore, all 3g products such as iPhones and iPads with 3g, patent infringement, that the number 1010336 bears. In addition to a sales ban, Apple will also have to pay liquidated damages, the amount of which is still to be determined.
It is a preliminary ruling; in February, following a second hearing where the judge will assess whether or not Apple still infringes the patent. As a result, the iPhone-maker the chance to develop the technique so that there are no longer infringed, but it is not likely that this happens. Motorola may already be a sales ban issue, but if in February it seems that Apple is not infringing, the iPhone-maker a claim for compensation which can amount to up to 100 million euros. Apple will still get the chance to appeal against the court ruling.
If Apple does not license the patents or infringing elements are not removed, may products with a 3g connection will probably not be sold anymore in Germany. A sales ban was already previously suspected, because a ruling uitlekte, but Apple seems so short the time to get to here to wriggle out of it.
It is not the first time in Germany, a sales ban is pronounced for mobile products. Previously was Samsung, a sales ban for the Galaxy Tab tablets in a case brought by Apple was filed.