Motorola Wants $100 Million+ From Microsoft Over Patents
Microsoft doesn't want to pay more than $502,000 a year to license Motorola's video patents.
While Microsoft believes it shouldn't pay more than $502,000 a year to license Motorola's video patents, the Google-owned smartphone manufacturer has demanded between $100 million and $125 million on an annual basis.
Court filings revealed that Microsoft is willing to pay as much as $502,000 per year to license Motorola's H.264 video patents. The software giant also said it would pay as much as $736,000 for Motorola's 802.11 wireless technology.
Motorola, however, doesn't want to settle with a one-off fee. It wants Microsoft to pay a percentage of its revenue stemming from the allegedly infringing products; it wants a 2.25 percent royalty on H.264 technology, which would range between $100 million and $125 million per year in fees.
The company is also demanding a royalty payment of 1.15 percent to 1.73 percent for its WiFi patents, which could possibly lead to further tens of millions of dollars per year.
Microsoft argued that its rival's H.264 and WiFi patents should be offered at a "fair rate" due to the fact that they're standard-essential intellectual property. Should businesses license standard-essential patents, they are required to request fees that are considered fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory (FRAND).
The Windows creator has maintained its position regarding Motorola's 2.25 percent royalty request being unfair. The latter has also alleged that the Xbox 360 violates its patents as well. That said, a judge recently ruled that Moto will not be granted an injunction against Microsoft products in the U.S. and Germany.
Yay go Zak!
Actually, it really depends on how you look at it; A large majority of the time, it is used to implicate a one-time only fee, hence the term "one-off".
Then who is going to keep google in check? Google knows everything about everyone. I don't want them dominating the world, too.
Working on a percentage of the selling price means you have to work with a limited number of FRAND patents before you are all out of profit, no matter how high the selling price. How can anyone creat a top notch phone with all the latest technologies?
I don't think this is about money. I think this is a way for Motorola and Google to push M$ to cross license some of their patents. What I've understood right now $10 from every Android phone sold is going to Ballmers company.
If we think average Android phone price is 350, then 2,9% goes to M$. And I am sure Microsofts input towards Android is worth that 2,9 %...not.
I can be wrong.. wouldn't be the first time
You make a profit on each Android device sold. So why shouldn't Google make a little for every Window sold if Window uses Moto's patent. What goes around, comes around
Not saying I like these legal pissing matches, but as far as settlements go, that doesn't seem like an especially unreasonable amount.
Not people, only Zak.
This.
That $10 per phone, covers several patents that Google knowingly and willfully fringed. Google came out better paying $10 per phone willingly....than they would have if it had gone to court.
There's nothing wrong with Motorola making money on their patents. The issue is how much they think those patents are worth. MS is receiving $10 in total for every Android device sold. Google knowingly and willfully infringed multiple patents held by MS. Motorola wants more for 1 patent, than MS is making off the multiple patents that the $10 per android device covers.