Motorola Retaliates Against Microsoft Patent Suit

Motorola Mobility is taking Microsoft to court in a suit filed with the U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of Florida and the Western District of Wisconsin alleging infringement of sixteen patents by Microsoft's PC and Server software, Windows mobile software and Xbox products.

Motorola claims that it has patents that are used in the Windows OS, digital video coding, email technology including Exchange, Messenger and Outlook, Windows Live instant messaging and object oriented software architecture. That's not all though, as there are also Motorola patent objections directed to Windows mobile software relate to Windows Marketplace and Bing maps, as well as even on the Xbox side as it relates to digital video coding, WiFi technology, and graphical passwords.

Motorola Mobility has requested that Microsoft cease using Motorola's patented technology and provide compensation for Microsoft's past infringement.

Of course, this legal spat could have started when Microsoft shot first. Last month Microsoft sued Motorola over patents relating to Android features such as synchronizing email, calendars and contacts, scheduling meetings, and notifying applications of changes in signal strength and battery power.

Kirk Dailey, corporate vice president of intellectual property at Motorola Mobility, noted that Microsoft also has filed separate patent infringement litigation against Motorola. "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."

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
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  • Camikazi
    Ouch, this is not gonna turn out good for us if these suits are not dropped :/ we all know the costs will be passed on to the consumers.
    Reply
  • gbean02
    More money for the liers, oops lawyers.
    Reply
  • lmn8r
    What a waste. If I were the judge i'd issue a summary judgment and order both companies to pay $40 million dollars to charity, and all patents in question are invalidated immediately and in perpetuity.
    Reply
  • scook9
    lmn8rWhat a waste. If I were the judge i'd issue a summary judgment and order both companies to pay $40 million dollars to charity, and all patents in question are invalidated immediately and in perpetuity.I like this.
    Reply
  • What next, Microsoft sues Plumbing industry for making toilets that use the recycle bin sound font!
    Reply
  • Vladislaus
    The computer world would so much better without pattents. Its only purpose is to prevent innovation and fill the pockets of big corporations.
    Reply
  • Parrdacc
    This is just Motorola telling Microsoft to back the #$%^ off. Basically, we won't be intimidated and can take you on just the same.
    Reply
  • Bolbi
    VladislausThe computer world would so much better without pattents. Its only purpose is to prevent innovation and fill the pockets of big corporations.No; the purpose of patents is to protect and foster innovation by making sure inventors who do the heavy lifting for new technological advancements can actually reap the benefits of their hard work. Patent law helps protect them from the theft of their intellectual property. The problem is that nowadays patents are too complex and vague and are granted for just about any ridiculous thing that a company can dream up.
    Reply
  • DjEaZy
    ... motorola is busy lately... suing apple, now microsoft... to lmn8r! I totally agree... +3873296 to YOU!!!
    Reply
  • rocky1234
    How long has Windows been out & it took Moto this long to figure out that MS may be steeping on Moto's patents I call a bit of BS here for sure. If it is true & Moto wins this the PC world is in for some real headaches. I do not think a Judge in their right mind would even think of letting this go to court there are just way to many players in the PC world that would get hurt by this as well as the consumers.

    I really think there should be limits on how long you can sit by & watch your patents being used & not do anything about it.

    They want basically back pay for long term infringements that would pretty much almost bankrupt MS or at the very least put a big hole in their pockets there a millions upon millions of PC's in the world. I still call BS on Moto's part & this should never see the light of day in a court room. Both MS & Moto really need to sit down & work this out before it starts effecting everyone else & not just them.
    Reply