US ITC judge rules for Apple in fight with Elan

Washington: Apple Inc won the first round in a patent fight with Elan Microelectronics Corp over touchpad technology, the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) said on Friday.

Judge Paul Luckern said in his initial decision there was no violation of the Elan patent.

The full International Trade Commission must now rule on whether to accept or reject the decision of its administrative law judge. That decision is expected in August.

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on the case.

Elan had accused Apple of using its technology to build the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, among other devices. It had asked for the ITC to ban all of the devices from sale in the United States.