Google/Motorola fires back with lawsuit against Apple over patent infringement

I knew this day would come. I cant say that I hoped for it, but in all honesty, it was inevitable. Apple has been very busy lately in doing all it can to ban as many Android devices as it can, and HTC, Samsung, and Motorola have all recently got a small taste of the Apple juice lately. But something has changed: Google now owns Motorola, and arent wasting any time in defending their new acquisition, as they are now seeking a sales ban on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers in the US. This time, its personal, and contains a twist that could make this particular lawsuit a very dangerous one for Apple.

This is the first case that Google has signed off on in defending their new hardware company, meaning that theres no more lurking in the background providing support. This is full on Google with their law team directly involved. This isn't Google watching from the sidelines, but instead, they are calling this one play by play. But Google and Motorola were clever, as this isn't a lawsuit that focuses on silly topics such as icons or square shaped tablets.

Google and Motorola are claiming patent infringement for non-standard essential patents. To put it simply, Google-rola has filed a case for a patent that courts cannot legally force companies to license, meaning that if they win this case, Apple could be forced to completely stop using the technology in their devices.

We dont have confirmation on exactly which Wifi related patent is in question here, but we do know that Motorola attempted to reach licensing agreements with Apple (since 2010), which Apple apparently refused. Motorola stated that:

We would like to settle these patent matters, but Apples unwillingness to work out a license leaves us little choice but to defend ourselves and our engineers innovations.

This is a big one for Google and for Apple. This isnt just an OEM that Apple is dealing with now. This is one of the most powerful (if not THE most powerful) movers and shakers in the world. If this comes to trial, Apple will have its hands full, and might even be forced to rely on Microsoft for backup.

The patent wars involving Android and Apple have now reached new heights, and with Google in the center, I have a feeling that things could get very very ugly for the companies that have sought to ban Android products.AndroidPit

Looks like Google has had enough of Apples antics as of late and decided to fire back to protect its own patents. Apparently, Apple vilolated a patent owned by Motorola having to do with WiFi and refused to pay a licensing fee to Motorola. Google is suing to have Apples products taken off the market completely rather than just pay damages. Sh*t just got interesting. Let's see how Apple likes the taste of its own juice.

http://www.androidpit.com/google-vs-apple-android

http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2012/08/21/and-now-google-sues-apple/

mystic, friend to friend, I really don't like the bickering and nastiness this stuff has drudged up. I don't think you want Google to bury Apple with litigation.
musicalmac

http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/24/itc-decides-apple-didnt-violate-motorola-wifi-patent-after-all/

http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/24/itc-decides-apple-didnt-violate-motorola-wifi-patent-after-all/

DroidPhysX

"The bad news for Android licensees is that the three patents represent but a handful of the patents in Apple's arsenal. We anticipate Apple will assert many of these reportedly even more powerful patents in future cases against Android licensees," Wolf said. "Google will be forced to design work-arounds of the violated software patents, which was the intent of Apple's lawsuit."

{REGARDING THE PATENTS GOOGLE OWNS AFTER BUYING MOTOROLA MOBILE}...But Macquarie Securities Group analyst Ben Schachter said it's unclear how effective the patents would be in coming battles.

"The verdict does remind us that the value of Google's Motorola Mobility remains very much an open question. Thus far, and it is clearly still early, we have yet to see any meaningful evidence that Google's acquisition of Motorola's [intellectual property] can protect various players in the Android ecosystem," Schachter said.

Recon Analytics analyst Roger Entner agreed, saying Motorola was "a notoriously weak software developer. He noted that "a lot of the patents that Apple has cited are exactly in that weak spot."Jessica Guynn

In the aftermath of Apple's resounding U.S. court victory over Samsung, analysts again ask the question whether its acquisition of Motorola Mobility has enabled Google to protect Android against patent assertions -- and the consensus answer to this question is "no". I expressed serious doubts (to say the least) about that deal from the day of its announcement. Many people were impressed by the sheer size of Motorola Mobility's portfolio, but leverage, as opposed to size, is the right measure.

The scope of this license agreement {between Motorola and Apple} may be limited to "cellular standards-essential patents" (based on Motorola's answer to Apple's complaint) and not include WiFi and/or H.264 video codec patents. But at any rate, Apple now knows what kind of offer it has to make to get a license to any other standard-essential Motorola patents without having to grant a license to Google (Motorola) to a single non-standard-essential Apple patent. Apple will be happy to pay FRAND royalties as long as it can pursue differentiation. Why did Google just pay $12.5 billion?FOSS Patents

How did google lose leverage if motorola licensed something to apple? Google is the parent whatever motorola does is by google's consent. Now google earns royalties from iOS.

I dont think you can enforce a ban if the company agrees to pay license unless you infringe on something too serious like trying to copy a company logo or something.

How did google lose leverage if motorola licensed something to apple? Google is the parent whatever motorola does is by google's consent. Now google earns royalties from iOS.

I dont think you can enforce a ban if the company agrees to pay license unless you infringe on something too serious like trying to copy a company logo or something.

Gambler_3

[QUOTE="Gambler_3"]

How did google lose leverage if motorola licensed something to apple? Google is the parent whatever motorola does is by google's consent. Now google earns royalties from iOS.

I dont think you can enforce a ban if the company agrees to pay license unless you infringe on something too serious like trying to copy a company logo or something.

Kid-Atari

Simple really, he is one of those apple sheep.

Simple really, he is one of those apple sheep.

mahlasor

[QUOTE="mahlasor"]

Simple really, he is one of those apple sheep.

mystic_knight

[QUOTE="mystic_knight"][QUOTE="mahlasor"]

Simple really, he is one of those apple sheep.

musicalmac

Sorry, just annoyed by these patent claims, it just seems like because one company is doing this, they are all doing it and being technical because another one is doing that. Someone created the seed that is these patent wars raging across the globe.

[QUOTE="mahlasor"]

Simple really, he is one of those apple sheep.

mystic_knight

If we're already having issues over forum invasion there is an easy solution.

Any and all discussion that references to Google Android (or the relating) should be posted in System Wars. Otherwise there will still be fanboys battling it out on this board.

i shall quote part of the FAQ

Can I create a topic about news articles? (ie. Motorola and Apple in court? ) Yes, for the purpose of informing and discussing current events and relevant iOS information. Those creating such topics for the purpose of ownage or to start a fight will be moderated accordingly.FAQ

If its to start a fight, it will be modrated, if its to discuss its ok.