Lenovo and Motorola are facing a German sales ban due to a patent infringement dispute with US-based InterDigital over WWAN modules, crucial for wireless mobile connectivity.
Lenovo and Motorola Ban in Germany
The ban affects all devices supporting GSM, UMTS, LTE, and 5G connectivity, including certain mobile devices and smartphones like the recent Edge 50 lineup from both brands.
The court found that Lenovo violated InterDigital’s patent by using its technology and not paying reasonable license fees. The company intends to appeal the court’s ruling, arguing that InterDigital’s terms are not equitable.
Official stores in Germany no longer carry both brands’ handsets with WWAN capability; these devices can only be purchased through independent merchants. These conflicts are often settled out of court, allowing the impacted items to be put back on store shelves.
Nonetheless, prospective buyers in Germany are advised to act swiftly, as the duration of the sales ban remains uncertain.
FAQ
Q: Why are Lenovo and Motorola facing a sales ban in Germany?
A: Both brands are facing a sales ban in Germany due to a patent infringement dispute with InterDigital, a US-based company. The dispute revolves around the use of WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) modules in Lenovo and Motorola devices, which are essential for wireless mobile connectivity. The court ruled that Lenovo’s use of technology covered by InterDigital’s patent violated intellectual property rights, leading to the sales ban on devices supporting GSM, UMTS, LTE, and 5G connectivity.
Q: Which Lenovo and Motorola devices are affected by the sales ban?
A: The sales ban affects both brands’ devices that support GSM, UMTS, LTE, or 5G connectivity. This includes certain models from the recent Motorola Edge 50 lineup and other mobile products that utilize WWAN technology covered by InterDigital’s patent.
Q: How can consumers in Germany purchase Lenovo and Motorola devices during the sales ban?
A: During the sales ban period, devices with WWAN capabilities are only available through third-party retailers in Germany. These devices are no longer listed on the official web stores of both brands. Consumers interested in purchasing affected devices are advised to explore third-party retail options, although the availability of such devices may be limited until the patent dispute is resolved.
Started his freelancing adventure in 2018 and began doing freelance Audio Engineering work and then started freelance writing a few years later.
Currently he writes for Gadget Pilipinas and Grit.PH.
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