HTC Products Seized at German Airport Over 3G Patent
3G-enabled smartphones held at border as they allegedly violate patents held by IPCom.
Products belonging to Taiwanese smartphone and tablet manufacturer HTC have been seized at a German airport because of an ongoing 3G patent dispute.
During the firm's 3G patent infringement trial between HTC and IPCom in a German court, it stated that some of its shipments into Germany were seized by customs at the Frankfurt-Hahn airport between February 4 and February 10. HTC said there is currently no shortage of its devices in the German market.
It comes after German patent regulation and monetization firm IPCom applied for a warrant to have HTC's 3G-enabled smartphones held at the border, as they allegedly violate its patents.
As well as citing the aforementioned seizure, HTC reminded the court that the Munich-based IPComto attempted to have police seize handsets during last year's CeBIT trade. It said such actions from the firm are efforts to bully HTC into accepting its patent-licensing terms.
Five years ago, IPCom sued both HTC and Nokia following its purchase of a portfolio of wireless patents from Robert Bosch GmbH, which is a former manufacturer of wireless handsets. The majority of patents included in the deal relate to cellular telecommunications standards, including 3G technology.

"You e-papers please..."
In Germany!!!!!!!
Literacy, it's difficult isn't it?
RTFA, they're only seizing HTC's shipments, they're not seizing devices from individuals.
Dude, you don't need to insult the other member, geez, take a chill pill
How about globally? It's a mess almost everywhere from what I've read.