Microsoft and Motorola have been continuing to trade legal blows over the last few months, and Microsoft recently scored a victory in the long-running patent war. The International Trade Commission ruled yesterday that the Xbox did not violate Motorola's wireless communications patent.
Motorola's bid to ban Xbox 360 sales in the US due to a patent dispute has failed, after a judge ruled that the the patents in question were critical to industry standards. Federal Judge James Robart found that Motorola's patents must offer fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory licenses. Because of that, he ruled that a console ban could not be imposed.
Microsoft has rejected a settlement offer from Motorola in an ongoing Xbox 360 patent suit. The offer would have Motorola take 2.25% of royalties on every 360 sold. Microsoft balked at the proposal, saying the royalties would be well above market rates and that the settlement doesn't account for Motorola's own infringements.
Two companies have stepped into Microsoft's corner in its growing conflict against Motorola. Both IBM and Activision have made public submissions to the International Trade Commission (ITC), offering their firm opposition to a looming Xbox 360 import ban based on public interest and business concerns.
Read more: IBM shouldn't benefit from "refusal" to negotiate »
Microsoft's legal battle with Motorola has taken another large step towards a console ban, but the company could still narrowly avoid that fate. Judge David Shaw recommended to the International Trade Commission (ITC) that Microsoft be given a cease-and-desist order on sales of the Xbox 360 slim model in the US. He also recommended ceasing Chinese imports of the systems, and a payment of 7% of the value of unsold systems in stores.
Read more: ITC can accept recommendation, amend, or ask for rewrite »
The legal battle between Microsoft and Motorola continues to heat up, and Motorola has scored one symbolic victory that could serve as a bargaining chip in company negotiations. A court in Mannheim, Germany ruled today that various Microsoft products infringe on Motorola patents due to their video compression technology -- including the Xbox 360.
Motorola has won a ruling against Microsoft that may result in blocking imports of the Xbox 360 to the US. An International Trade Commission judge found that Microsoft was violating four of five Motorola Mobility patents. If the finding is approved by a six-member commission, it can ban the import of goods that violate US patents.
"Pretty happy that Google is losing all of these patent cases. It was a tad bit hypocritical to ..."
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