Motorola asks regulator to ban Blackberry imports

Motorola has lodged a complaint with the International Trade Commission (ITC) and requested that it ban Canadian firm Research in Motion (RIM) from importing Blackberry handsets into the US.

Motorola claim that RIM is illegally using Motorola WiFi technology because the two companies failed to renew a cross-licensing agreement. While there is a court case already making its way through the legal system, Motorola is claiming that RIM is using "delaying tactics."

Jonathan Meyer, senior vice president of intellectual property law at Motorola, said, "Through its early-stage development of the cellular industry and billions of dollars spent on research and development, Motorola has created an industry-leading intellectual property portfolio that is respected by the entire telecommunications industry. In light of RIM’s continued unlicensed use of Motorola’s patents, RIM’s use of delay tactics in our current patent litigation, and RIM’s refusal to design out Motorola’s proprietary technology, Motorola had no choice but to file a complaint with the ITC to halt RIM’s continued infringement. Motorola will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its R&D and intellectual property, which are critical to the Company’s business."

Blackberry devices aren't going to dry up overnight though. It usually takes the ITC around a month to decide whether too proceed with an investigation, and then a further year to complete the investigation.