Apple says that 3G-capable iPhones and iPads will return to German store soon

Apple has issued a statement saying that its iPhone and iPad models that use 3G technology will be back on sale in its German online store shortly, reports All Things D. The products had come under a temporary ban in that country after it was ruled that they violated patents held by Motorola.

All iPad and iPhone models will be back on sale through Apple’s online store in Germany shortly. Apple appealed this ruling because Motorola repeatedly refuses to license this patent to Apple on reasonable terms, despite having declared it an industry standard patent seven years ago.

The statement indicates that the patents were seen to fall under FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms) use status. Basically, Apple has accused Motorola of intentionally withholding the licensing of this patent in order to use it as leverage, even though Apple has offered ‘reasonable’ terms for licensing.

It appears that the German judge agrees and has lifted the temporary injunction. Affected Apple products will go back on sale in the online store (physical stores were not affected) while the case is hashed out. The products affected include the iPhone 4, iPad 3G and iPad UMTS equipped models as well as the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 4S was not affected as the chipset it uses is not covered under the patents.