Qualcomm Says Judge Lifts TRO

Qualcomm Inc. said a federal judge lifted a temporary restraining order barring it from making or marketing its digital “Q” phone, in a defeat for rival Motorola Inc. A Qualcomm spokesman said U.S. District Judge Napoleon Jones lifted the ban on sales of the phones and refused to enjoin San Diego-based Qualcomm from making or selling them. Motorola had claimed that Qualcomm infringed patents that Motorola holds on its StarTac cellular phone. Qualcomm plans to begin marketing them this summer. Qualcomm shares have fallen as much as 25% since the restraining order was imposed. On Thursday, they fell $1.75 to close at $43 on Nasdaq. The ruling didn’t throw out the underlying suit. Motorola wasn’t immediately available for comment.