Apple wins ITC backing against HTC

U.S. International Trade Commission will block some HTC products in the patent fight starting next April

The U.S. International Trade Commission will block the importation of some HTC products starting next April 19 after it found that the company infringed Apple patents.

However, the ITC's order may not have much impact on HTC's ability to sell products in the United States since the company said it has created alternative solutions to the patented technology.

The limited exclusion order against the Taiwan-based phone maker and two of its U.S. subsidiaries, announced Monday, closed the ITC's patent infringement proceedings that began in April 2010 after a complaint by Apple.

HTC cannot import the devices using the technology after April 19, though it will be able to bring in refurbished units until Dec. 19, 2013, to replace existing devices under warranty or insurance settlements.

The ITC had found that HTC had violated certain claims of some patents that Apple cited, but not others. The agency said its order and opinion were delivered to President Barack Obama, who now has the opportunity to overturn the decision. The agency said it decided not to issue a cease-and-desist order during a period for presidential review.