ITC Throws Out S3 Complaint Against Apple

The US International Trade Commission overruled one of its own administrative law judges, who thought the Mac tread on S3’s IP, and threw out an S3 Graphics patent complaint against Apple’s Macs, iPad and iPhone, saying it has no case. HTC of course is buying S3 for $300 million ostensibly for patent protection. Now it looks like that was a dumb idea; its patents may not be valid or the IP may belong to AMD. The ITC, which can bar imports, did not explain its decision. HTC says it may appeal. Bloomberg expects the decision to put pressure on HTC’s shares.

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