U.S. trade panel probes IBM-Asustek patent complaint

WASHINGTON, Jan 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. International Trade
Commission said on Friday it would launch an investigation into
International Business Machines Corp's (IBM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) complaint that
some computers made by Taiwan's Asustek Computer Inc (2357.TW: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
infringe three IBM patents.

The trade agency said in a statement that the case would be
referred to an administrative law judge, who will hold a
hearing and make an initial determination. That decision is
subject to review by the ITC commissioners.

IBM filed a complaint with the trade agency on Dec. 5. It
said the patent infringement occurred in Asustek's own-brand
computers as well as in products the company makes for other
brands.

Asustek has denied the allegations.

The trade agency said products to be investigated include
motherboards, graphics cards, notebook computers, server
computers, barebone computers and routers.
(Reporting by Julie Vorman; editing by Carol Bishopric)