Would the world stop spinning off its axis if Apple’s i-line of devices were taken off the market? If Elan Microelectronics has its way, we will soon know.
The Taiwanese company, which has a history of litigation against Apple, has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to halt imports of the forthcoming iPad, and is seeking an injunction against sales of the iPhone, iPod and Mac lines. All over a dispute about multi-touch technology.
Enterprise Mobile Today has the story.
Taiwan-based Elan Microelectronics just filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) alleging that Apple is infringing on its patents and violating the Tariff Act, and is seeking a ban on imports of the iPad as well as an order for Apple to stop selling the mobile device along with iPhones, iPods and Macs.
The move was taken as a “continuation of our efforts to enforce our patent rights against Apple’s ongoing infringement,” the company said in a statement shared with EnterpriseMobileToday.com.
“The complaint alleges that Apple is violating Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, by importing its iPhone, iPod Touch, MacBook and Magic Mouse products into the United States, that infringe Elan’s U.S. Patent No. 5,825,352. (the “352 patent”). Elan also alleges that the importation of Apple’s iPad products, which Apple has indicated will be available to consumers on April 3, violates section 337. Elan is requesting that the ITC issue a permanent exclusion order barring the importation of those products into the United States, as well as a cease and desist order barring Apple from selling any of these products in the United States that it has already imported,” the company said in a statement.
