The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has rejected a Motorola Mobility patent, which could have blocked import of some Apple iPhone models into the US.
The commission ruled that Apple did not violate a Motorola patent to manufacture the iPhones.
Google’s Motorola unit first filed a complaint against Apple in 2010 accusing the iPhone maker of infringing on six of its patents.
In its filing, Motorola said Apple infringed on patented technology which makes touch screens ignore user’s fingers when they hold smartphones to their ears for calls and reduce signal noise.
Reacting to the ITC’s decision, Google said, "We’re disappointed with this outcome and are evaluating our options."
However, Google also has the option to appeal the decision to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
The USITC cleared the iPhone maker of infringing three other Motorola patents in August 2012, while Motorola withdrew a second complaint against Apple in October last year.
In September 2012, Motorola lost a patent lawsuit against Apple in Germany which could lead to German ban of its android powered tablets and smartphones.
Apple and Motorola have been fighting about smartphone-related patents since 2010 after their licensing talks failed.
