Ruling Against Microsoft Could Halt Xbox 360 Imports
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We'll hear an official verdict about imports in August.
A Washington judge has ruled against Microsoft in a patent-infringement case, which could limit the import of Xbox 360 consoles to the United States. Motorola Mobility's complaint regarding Wi-Fi technology and video decoding patents won the International Trade Commission's favor.
This doesn't write any laws in stone, mind you, but it does present a potential risk for Microsoft. Judge David Shaw's ruling simply means a six-person commission will review the extent of infringement. If this group also deems Microsoft in violation, it could theoretically block imports of the Xbox 360 to the US.
Artist's representation.
The commission will make its final decision on May 18, though we may not hear the results (and potentially huge consequences) until August, Bloomberg reported.
As the Xbox 360 is manufactured by Foxconn in China, import blocks would severely limit the availability and sale of the console Stateside after August 2012. Microsoft's had a pretty good run over the past year, topping the sales charts month over month despite decreasing sales.
IGN has asked Microsoft for comment concerning this potential threat.
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/122/1223594p1.html
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Update: Microsoft has issued the following statement:
"Today's recommendation by the Administrative Law Judge is the first step in the process leading to the Commission's final ruling. We remain confident the Commission will ultimately rule in Microsoft's favor in this case and that Motorola will be held to its promise to make its standard essential patents available on fair and reasonable terms."