Motorola joins Kodak to ban Blackberry imports

Motorola has backed Eastman Kodak in its attempt to ban imports of Blackberry handsets over patent issues which were raised with the US authorities 2 weeks ago.

On Friday afternoon, Motorola announced that they have filed a complaint with the International Trade Commision over allegations of patent infringment – where, in this case, RIM did have a license to use certain technologies in their handsets patented by Motorola, but that license expired in 2007.

Motorola have filed the patent issues under Wi-fi, application management, power management and UI (user interface). Motorola wants the imports and selling of infringing devices to halt, and Blackberry to stop using their technology unless a license is agreed.

In a statement, Jonathan Meyer of Motorola said; “In light of RIM’s continued unlicensed use of Motorola’s patents, RIM’s use of delay tactics in our current patent litigation, and RIM’s refusal to design out Motorola’s proprietary technology, Motorola had no choice but to file a complaint with the ITC to halt RIM’s continued infringement”

As of yet RIM has not commented.