The International Trade Commission has ruled Microsoft improperly used two InterDigital wireless patents without permission.
The ruling judge said “it would not be against the public interest to ban the Microsoft [phones] from import into the United States.” Patent-related complaints are often taken to the ITC, which has the power to enact such bans.
This initial ruling, made by a single judge within the ITC, must be upheld by the full commission before any sort of penalty is enforced.
InterDigital is a patent-holding firm and has filed similar suits against other phone makers, including ZTE and Samsung. Microsoft did not immediately comment on the decision.
