Verizon to ask the president to step in on smartphone patent fights

According to the Wall Street Journal, Verizon Wireless might ask President Obama to use his presidential powers to intervene in the various litigation cases surrounding smartphones. Verizon says that if the president doesn't step in, the litigation could paralyze the industry and stop a number of devices from entering the U.S. market. The International Trade Commission has the ability to block the import and sale of devices that are deemed to be infringing on patents.