In a recent development reported by TalkAndroid, certain Lenovo and Motorola devices are facing a ban in Germany due to a patent dispute with U.S. company InterDigital. This ban affects a range of Motorola smartphones and Lenovo’s mobile lineup, all related to alleged patent infringement on WWAN modules – Wireless Wide Area Network modules that enable cellular internet connectivity.

The Munich I District Court in Germany has sided with InterDigital, imposing an immediate import ban on Lenovo and Motorola products supporting GSM, UMTS, LTE, and 5G connectivity in the country. This includes Motorola’s latest Edge 50 series smartphones, as well as any Lenovo or Motorola device using a SIM card or eSIM for mobile network connection.

InterDigital holds a standard essential patent (SEP) for its WWAN module, requiring manufacturers to license it under fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms to meet industry standards. However, the court found that Lenovo failed to meet InterDigital’s licensing terms, leading to the import ban.

As a result of this ruling:
– Only third-party retailers can sell affected Lenovo and Motorola devices in Germany until current inventories are depleted.
– Devices utilizing WWAN modules are no longer available on official Lenovo and Motorola websites in Germany.
– Negotiations for a licensing settlement between Lenovo and InterDigital could potentially lift the ban in the future.

For consumers in Germany interested in purchasing Lenovo tablets or Motorola phones impacted by this ban:
– It is advisable not to delay your purchase decision due to shrinking device supplies.
– Prices may increase as demand rises while supplies dwindle during this period of uncertainty.

Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing legal battle between Lenovo, InterDigital, and German courts as they work towards a resolution that benefits all parties involved.