ITC: no, the iPhone didn’t violate Google’s patents

iPhone 5 (in hand, right angled)

A United States International Trade Commission (ITC) judge ruled Tuesday that Apple’s iconic iPhone did not infringe upon any of the patents owned by Google’s subsidiary Motorola Mobility.

A spokesperson for Motorola said to the press that “we’re disappointed with this outcome and are evaluating our options”.

Apple wouldn’t comment but club Cupertino must be joyful with the outcome, especially knowing Google spent $12.5 billion just to get hold of Motorola’s patent trove…

Bloomberg has the story:

Apple’s iPhone didn’t violate patent rights owned by Google Inc. (GOOG)’s Motorola Mobility for a sensor that prevents accidental hang-ups, a U.S. International Trade Commission judge said today.

ITC judge Thomas Pender said in a notice posted on the agency’s docket that Motorola’s patent involving the phone’s proximity sensor is invalid.

Pender’s findings are subject to review by the full commission. His full determination will become public after both sides get a chance to redact confidential information, Bloomberg notes.

It’s Pender’s second ruling favoring Apple after Motorola asserted patent infringement. Back in August, the judge cleared Apple of Motorola’s claims concerning 3G cellular radio technology.

The encouraging development comes hot on the heels off today’s news that Samsung dropped its bid to ban Apple products in Europe after a judge over in the United States threw its juror misconduct claims.