Motorola Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Microsoft
In the latest round of the fight between two technology giants over smartphone technology, Motorola (MOT) punched back at Microsoft (MSFT) Wednesday with a patent infringement lawsuit. Motorola announced that its subsidiary, Motorola Mobility, had filed 16 patent infringement claims against the software giant over its Windows mobile software, as well as its PC and server software and Xbox products.
The suit, filed in a U.S. District Court in Florida and Wisconsin, comes in response to a patent infringement lawsuit Microsoft filed against Motorola last month, which raised allegations that Motorola infringed on Microsoft patents for software used in synchronizing email, calendars, contacts, scheduling meetings and updating applications of signal strength and battery power.
Smartphone-related patent infringement lawsuits are gaining steam across the consumer electronics industry the devices enjoy a sharp rise in use.
Motorola's lawsuit includes patent infringement allegations relating to Microsoft's Windows mobile software for
Windows Marketplace, Bing maps, and its object oriented software architecture. The Xbox, meanwhile, alleged infringes on digital video coding and WiFi technology patents, among others, and aspects of its PC and server software for handling digital video coding, email and instant messaging are also in dispute. The mobile handset maker is calling on Microsoft to cease using the patented technology and provide compensation for past infringements.
Motorola Hints It's Ready to Negotiate
"We are committed to protecting the interests of our shareholders, customers and other stakeholders and are bringing this action against Microsoft in order to halt its infringement of key Motorola patents," said Kirk Dailey, Motorola Mobility vice president of intellectual property, in a statement. "Motorola has invested billions of dollars in R&D to create a deep and broad intellectual property portfolio and we will continue to do what is necessary to protect our proprietary technology."
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He added Motorola Mobility wished Microsoft had entered into comprehensive licensing negotiations, rather than filing a lawsuit against the mobile phone handset maker last month.
"It is unfortunate," he said, "that Microsoft has chosen the litigation path rather than entering into comprehensive licensing negotiations, as Motorola has mutually beneficial licensing relationships with the great majority of technology companies industry-wide."
Sounds like Motorola is signaling that there's a clear path for resolving both lawsuits. Microsoft was not immediately available for comment.
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