A U.S. judge has ruled that Google-owned Motorola will not be granted an injunction against Microsoft products that it claims violate its H.264 patents.
The ruling ensures that Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Windows, among other products belonging to the software giant, won't be banned from sale in the United States. The ruling also prevents Motorola from banning Microsoft products in Germany.
Motorola has argued that Microsoft utilized the patents in question illegally. The firm requested the judge apply a sales injunction against the latter's products until it licenses the patents in question. Microsoft, meanwhile, has stressed that it would be willing to pay a royalty, but not on Motorola's demands. Motorola had requested that Redmond pay $4 billion for the use of its technology via a 2.25 percent royalty rate based on product pricing.
The judge is expected to announce a final decision on the case in the spring. When he does, he could set the terms of licensing and what a reasonable royalty rate may be.
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Zak Islam is a freelance writer focusing on security, networking, and general computing. His work also appears at Digital Trends and Tom's Guide.
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igot1forya Remember back when companies used to innovate rather than litigate? No, me neither :(Reply -
SAL-e Hum... US district judge in Seattle (Microsoft's back yard) issues ruling that blocks legal process in Germany. Do you think that will end up good for Microsoft in Germany and EU courts?Reply -
ddpruitt igot1foryaRemember back when companies used to innovate rather than litigate? No, me neitherReply
Sadly I'm old enough to remember when innovation was the key to getting ahead (Windows 1.0 anyone?). -
scannall ddpruittSadly I'm old enough to remember when innovation was the key to getting ahead (Windows 1.0 anyone?).Reply
I think you forgot the /s there. Windows 1.0 was dreadful. Nothing more than a DOS overlay, that really didn't work very well. Windows was pretty much a joke until Win 95. And wasn't actually good until Win 98 SE. Which they trashed a little while later with Windows ME. *shudder* -
Max Collodi DangiHow can an U.S. judge ban a ruling in Germany ??? That's to decide by some german judgeIt's likely there is some sort of patent agreement between the U.S. and Germany. I don't know this for a fact, however.Reply -
SAL-e Max CollodiIt's likely there is some sort of patent agreement between the U.S. and Germany. I don't know this for a fact, however.There is none. The judge is over-extending its jurisdiction by liberally interpreting contract laws in USA. At this point Motorola can only wait the process to complete and build its appeal case. No matter what this judge rules there is going to be an appeal in to the higher court. This case will not be over any time soon. If you interested about the case and want to read FUD free information about the case go to and avoid paid shills like (Anti)FOSSpatents.Reply