ANSI decision in Motorola vs. VITA

Jan. 22, 2008 – Scottsdale, Ariz. – Ray Alderman, executive director of VITA, has reported that a decision was reached in the matter of Motorola vs. VITA regarding VITA's recent adoption of its Ex Ante patent policy.

“I was informed by ANSI and our attorneys this morning that the ANSI Appeals Board found no evidence that VITA's Ex Ante mandatory-disclosure patent policies violate ANSI's Essential Requirements, and VITA's accreditation stands,” Alderman announced.

“ANSI concluded that the decision to reaccredit VITA with these new policies, made by the Executive Standards Council, and the reaffirming decision made by the ExSC Appeals Panel in a previous appeal by Motorola, were correct and valid,” he explained. “ANSI rejected Motorola's arguments, and denied to hear their appeal on the grounds that they showed no evidence that previous ANSI decisions were in error, or violated established ANSI rules and procedures. This was the final appeal board within ANSI.”

Meanwhile, Alderman stands firm in his conviction of Ex Ante patent policies.

“It has taken us more than two years to establish these new patent policies in the standards community, including U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Federal Trade Commission review,” he says. “Now that all appeals within ANSI are exhausted, I expect to see other standards developers around the world to adopt VITA's policies, or develop something similar.”

VITA will be issuing a press release later this week, to include an ANSI letter of decision regarding the final appeal.

For more information on VITA or its Ex Ante policy, go to www.vita.com.