Nvidia recently filed a complaint against Samsung alleging that the South Korean manufacturer violated some of Nvidia’s GPU-related patents in devices using both Qualcomm’s Snapdragon and Samsung’s Exynos processors. Now, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to go ahead and begin investigating Samsung devices for infringement. Infringing devices will be banned from being imported into the US, with Nvidia focusing on the Galaxy Note Edge, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4, and the Galaxy S4.
Nvidia is also targeting a few tablets, including the Galaxy Tab S, Galaxy Note Pro, and Galaxy Tab 2. All of these devices either use Samsung’s Exynos processors, or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4, 400, 600, 800, 801, and 805 chipsets, making the complaint rather broad, one that might spell trouble for Samsung, especially if newly launched devices like the Galaxy Note 4 are deemed guilty of infringement. However, the proceedings will likely take long to come to any conclusions, so Samsung might not have to worry just yet.
“We are pleased with the ITC decision today to open an investigation and look forward to presenting our case on how NVIDIA GPU patents are being used without a license,” said David Shannon, executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Nvidia, in a statement.