The United States International Trade Commission has announced that it is opening an investigation into Apple and other companies over potential patent violations. The complaint was filed in February by Irish company Neodron, which claims that Apple and others infringe on its patents related to touchscreen devices.
The patents cited by Neodron include: U.S. Patent No. 7,821,425; U.S. Patent No. 7,903,092; U.S. Patent No. 8,749,251; and U.S. Patent No. 9,411,472. All of these patents relate to capacitive touch-controlled mobile devices, computers, and components, and the technologies behind them.
Neodron filed a lawsuit against Apple and other companies last month. At the time Patently Apple explained how Neodron came to be, descibing the company as a patent troll:
Within 45 days of instituting the investigation, the United States ITC says it will set a target date for completion.
