Motorola may be banned from selling phones in the US, here's why

Motorola

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has found that smartphones made by Lenovo’s Motorola Mobility violate Ericsson’s patents, which could lead to a ban for Motorola from importing their phones altogether in the United States of America (US). This could be a big blow to the brand as according to Counterpoint, Motorola currently has a 14% share in the US smartphone market, with the Moto G Play 2024 generating record sales.

Could Motorola phones be banned in the US?

Reuters reports that a preliminary ruling by an ITC Administrative Law Judge, which was issued on December 17, concluded that Motorola smartphones violate Ericsson’s patents related to 5G wireless technology. This ruling could therefore place a ban on Lenovo in the country, which is the owner of Motorola.

Spokespeople for the companies did not immediately respond to requests for this ruling as the full commission trial is scheduled to issue a final ruling on Ericsson’s allegations in April 2025. Moreover, popular smartphones from Motorola’s G, Edge, and Razr lineups are at the heart of the allegations, with Ericsson claiming they use its patented 5G wireless technology without proper licensing.

Previously, Lenovo had fought patent issues with Ericsson in the UK, South America, and North Carolina, with Ericsson winning the legal battle in countries like Brazil and Colombia. However, the US Appeals Court recently reopened these cases, providing temporary relief to the brand regarding the import and sales of Motorola smartphones.