Motorola Phones Could Face Import Ban in the US Over 5G Patent Dispute

Motorola phones could soon face an import ban in the United States. The US International Trade Commission (ITC) recently ruled that some Motorola devices, owned by Lenovo, may infringe on Ericsson’s 5G patents.

If this ruling is upheld, it could lead to a ban on importing these phones into the US, according to Reuters.

The case centers on 5G technology, with Ericsson claiming that Motorola’s Moto G, Edge, and Razr models use its patented technology without proper licensing.

This ruling is a major win for Ericsson in its global patent dispute with Lenovo, which owns Motorola.

The ITC is set to make a final decision in April 2025. While this initial ruling favors Ericsson, a separate ITC judge ruled in Lenovo’s favor in a related case last month, leaving the outcome uncertain.

If the ban is enforced, it could limit consumer choices, particularly in the mid-range and premium smartphone markets. However, using patented technology without licensing is a serious issue that needs resolution.

Similar 5G disputes have led to bans on OnePlus and Oppo devices in other countries, though Oppo recently signed a global 5G patent cross-licensing deal with Ericsson.

The legal battle is also taking place in other countries, including the UK, Brazil, and Colombia, where courts have already issued preliminary bans on Lenovo smartphones.

However, a US appeals court recently reopened Lenovo’s bid to block those bans.