(CN) - A German court has blocked Apple from selling its iPhone and iPad devices in that country, where the technology giant faces patent-infringement claims from Motorola.
The ruling is the first substantive decision in the patent battle. Motorola won default judgment from the Mannheim Regional Court in early November after Apple failed to appear in court.
The two European patents at issue cover "a method for performing a countdown function during a mobile-originated transfer for a packet radio system" and "multiple pager status synchronization system and method." Motorola, an Illinois-based company, holds corresponding U.S. patents on the technology as well. Earlier this month, a Wisconsin federal judge transferred a corresponding U.S. action to Illinois' Northern District.
The Dec. 9 ruling from Germany prevents sales of all Apple products that infringe on the patents in the country, in exchange for a 100 million euro bond. If no stay is granted, Motorola will have to decide whether to enforce the ruling. Under German law, Motorola could be liable for Apple's lost sales if the injunction is overturned later.
Apple has announced that it plans to appeal the decision to the Karlsruhe Higher Regional Court and request a stay.
"Holiday shoppers in Germany should have no problem finding the iPad or iPhone they want," Apple told the Dow Jones Newswire.
Germany has proven a contentious ground in "smart" device patent battles. In August, Apple won an injunction blocking sales of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the country.
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