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Motorola Countersues Microsoft Over 16 Patents

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the sue-sue-sudio dept.

FlorianMueller writes "As if there weren't already enough patent suits related to smartphone technologies, Motorola just announced its widely anticipated countersuit against Microsoft. Its subsidiary Motorola Mobility filed complaints with two US District Courts (Southern District of Florida and Western District of Wisconsin). Motorola already litigates with Apple in those and other courts. According to Motorola, the patents relate to technologies in the fields of operating systems, video codecs, email, instant messaging, object-oriented software architectures, WiFi, and graphical passwords. Motorola claims Windows, the Live messenger, Windows Phone, Outlook and other Microsoft products infringe. Motorola's action is no surprise given that all of the companies sued over patent infringement by Android — with the exception of Google — have already countersued."

5 of 62 comments (clear)

  1. Pew Pew Pew... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Its like a giant space battle.. but involving black suits, lots of money and lawyers.

    Here's hoping none of them are taken seriously in the courts and all these silly, strategic patents are called what they are, invalid and worthless. (And hope that the technology, on whomevers side doesn't suffer)

    One can hope right?

    1. Re:Pew Pew Pew... by mea37 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      So, do you have particular insight into these patents to back your claim that they are invalid and worthless?

      Or are you one of those people who really thinks patents shouldn't exist, but won't just admit it?

      Or perhaps you think you get to stipulate the terms of how a patent must be used for it to be valid and have worth, even though the system of patent laws intentionally doesn't do so?

  2. No surprises by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    All this patent litigation is going to result in a patent pool, locking new competition out of the smart phone market for 20 years. Hope the tech companies enjoy their little circle-jerk. All it's highlighting to the rest of the world is the stupidity of some of the patents involved.

  3. Re:Southern District of FL by amiga3D · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I think that if you don't make products you take your patent troll business to Texas. Evidently if you actually use your patents for making things you have to go elsewhere.

  4. Judges should game the system back by awkScooby · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If all of these judges would put temporary injunctions in place, banning the cell makers in their case(s) from selling infringing phones, the cell industry would come to a screeching halt. That's what the cell industry has effectively asked for, by everyone suing everyone else for patent infringement. Just take them all at face value, and stop all of these infringers from shipping anything. These patents are mutually assured destruction, right? Let the MAD begin!