The United States International Trade Commission on Tuesday ruled in favor of Apple (AAPL) in its ongoing legal dispute with Motorola. Judge Thomas Pender found that Motorola’s patent for a proximity sensor that prevents accidental hang-ups was invalid, Reuters reported. Pender’s ruling is the latest blow to the company, however the judge’s decision is subject to a review by the full commission.
Motorola alleged this past summer that Apple had infringed upon several of its patents concerning location reminders, e-mail notification and video players, and had asked the ITC to implement an import ban in the United States against the iPhone, iPad and various Mac computers. In August, however, the commission found that the Cupertino, California-based company had not violated three of Motorola’s patents.