U.S. trade panel to probe devices of eight smartphone vendors
Reuters
Published May 06, 2016 06:35AM ET
U.S. trade panel to probe devices of eight smartphone vendors
HONG KONG (Reuters) - The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is launching an investigation into mobile devices made by eight smartphone vendors including Samsung Electronics Co (KS:005930) over an alleged patent violation, the trade panel said on its website.
The probe follows a complaint filed by Singapore-based Creative Technology Ltd (SI:CREA) and U.S.-based Creative Labs Inc that several handset makers have infringed on their patent, the ITC said in a statement.
The accused vendors are ZTE Corp <000063.SZ> (HK:0763), Sony Corp (T:6758), Samsung, LG Electronics Inc (KS:066570), Lenovo Group Ltd (HK:0992), Motorola (NYSE:MSI) Mobility, HTC Corp (TW:2498) and Blackberry Ltd (TO:BB).
"The products at issue in the investigation are portable electronic devices, such as smartphones, with the capability of playing stored media files selected by a user from a hierarchical display," ITC wrote.
The trade panel said it has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case, and will decide a target date for completing investigation within 45 days after the institution of the investigation.
Creative Technology was not immediately available for comment. HTC said it cannot comment as the case has entered the court process.
Samsung and LG said they are looking into the case and didn't have any other immediate comment. Sony declined to comment. ZTE, Lenovo and other vendors were not immediately available.
"It's rare to see so many vendors involved in one patent infringement case," said research firm Canalys analyst Nicole Peng.
While the share price reaction of most Asia-based companies was muted, Hong Kong-listed shares of ZTE tumbled 11 percent on Friday to their lowest since July 2013. The Shenzhen-based company faced export restrictions imposed by the U.S. Commerce Department in March for allegedly violating sanctions against Iran.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.