A Federal Court today gave the International Trade Commission two weeks to explain its decision to ban the import of new cell phone models containing Qualcomm’s 3G chips. Qualcomm has already appealed the ITC’s ruling that its chips infringe on Broadcom’s patent, and has asked the court to stay the ban during the appeal process. The ruling to ban import of new phone models passed the ITC by 3-2, calling the decision into doubt. Even if Qualcomm is successful getting the ban stayed, it will need to license Broadcom’s technology or redesign its chips unless the Federal Court overturns the ITC’s decision or the President comes to Qualcomm’s defense.