Officials at Microsoft have announced that the tech giant is open to a comprehensive settlement of disputes with Google owned Motorola Mobility. Both these tech giants are embroiled in a patent litigation lawsuit that has seen injunctions against Motorola devices in countries like Germany and the USA. Brad Smith and Haracio Gutierrez of Microsoft’s intellectual property group said that the lawsuit currently stands at crossroads and the remaining course can be decided by Google’s decision alone. Google has to choose between diversionary tactics or choose to engage in serious discussions and negotiations with Microsoft.
Microsoft has ensured that any Motorola phone using technology to link up schedules between phones and personal computers (in violation of Microsoft patent) is banned in the USA. The former has also earned several sales stays on a few Motorola Mobility products in Germany. However, these were based on other Microsoft patents.
Motorola Mobility has launched its own patent violation claims against Microsoft. These are targeted at Microsoft’s popular gaming platform; the Xbox gaming system and the Windows Operating System. These include cases in Germany and the USA among other countries. The Google owned company has submitted offers to license most of its patents. These range from Wi-Fi technology to Video compression techniques. The company has also offered to take a license for ActiveSync, a coordination feature which the company had previously licensed from Microsoft in 2007.
Microsoft argued that such offers don’t meet the Google owned company’s obligation to license patents on reasonable terms. Furthermore, any form of licensing should be based on market rates, is what Microsoft stated. The Redmond based company filed a breach of contract suit which goes to trial in December in Seattle. Gutierrez and Smith insisted that any agreement must cover all Microsoft patents inclusive of those which Google Android OS infringed. Microsoft has already signed licensing agreements with Android vendors like Barnes & Noble and Samsung Electronics Co.
The EU is also investigating Microsoft and Apple’s accusation that Motorola is using its patents with the sole motive of overthrowing its rivals. A hearing was also scheduled on July 11th to decide whether limits should be placed on standard-essential patents or not. Both Microsoft and Apple argued that standard-essential patents must never be used to hamper a competitor’s growth. Google responded by stating that it wouldn’t block patents as long as companies oblige to licensing negotiations. Google accused Microsoft and Apple of refusing to negotiate. A final decision on the issue is expected to be taken on August 24th by the US International Trade Commission.
