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Posted by: Matt Liebl

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After a legal dispute between Microsoft and Motorola resulted in the Xbox 360 console being blocked from distribution in Germany earlier this month, a judge at the U.S. International Trade Commission has now ruled Microsoft's Xbox console should face a U.S. import and sales ban for violating four patents owned by Motorola.

Following the discovery that Microsoft has infringed on four of Motorola's patents relating to H.264 and the use of wireless tech in controllers, ITC Administrative Law Judge David Shaw recommended on Monday that the Xbox 360 should no longer be imported into the U.S and that all sales of unsold stock should be blocked.

"The recommendation by the administrative law judge is the first step in the process leading to the Commission’s final ruling,” Microsoft said in response. “We remain confident the Commission will ultimately rule in Microsoft’s favor in this case.”

The decision will now go to the International Trade Commission which has until August 23rd to decide whether or not to follow the ruling.  If they decide that the Xbox 360 should be banned, the decision would then go to the Obama Administration for a 60-day review.  If the Administration signs off on it, then the ban would come into effect.

[Wired]

Tags: Xbox 360, Microsoft