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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."

11 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 Magada · · Score: 4, Funny

      Aye! The patent Armageddon our forefathers have predicted is finally coming to pass. Take heart, brothers and sisters, and let the mighty beasts wail and crash each other asunder, for though there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth, aye, and many a lost source of income, we will be there at the end, to wage battle with the last, greatest Patent Troll left standing and umm... sic the anti-trust hounds upon it? Again? Oh, wait...

      --
      Something bad is coming when people are suddenly anxious to tell the truth.
    2. 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. This is going to be an interesting one by dyfet · · Score: 5, Interesting

    While not covered well in the press, like IXI, Motorola is also demanding that Microsoft stop shipping "infringing" products, though in this case they speak of virtually the entire Microsoft product line. This can become very interesting. I think Microsoft picked on the wrong company to try and bully and run it's protection racket on this time. They seem to have inherited SCO's footgun...

    1. Re:This is going to be an interesting one by frinkster · · Score: 5, Interesting

      While not covered well in the press, like IXI, Motorola is also demanding that Microsoft stop shipping "infringing" products, though in this case they speak of virtually the entire Microsoft product line. This can become very interesting. I think Microsoft picked on the wrong company to try and bully and run it's protection racket on this time. They seem to have inherited SCO's footgun...

      It will be an interesting fight. Don't forget that RIM sued Motorola, Motorola sued back, and they settled the suits out of court confidentially but with a couple pieces of information released to the public:

      The financial terms of the Agreement include an up-front payment and ongoing royalties to Motorola. Further terms and conditions of the Agreement are confidential.

      So yes, it is possible that Microsoft picked the wrong company to bully. RIM certainly did. Motorola has been doing high-tech stuff for a very long time...

  3. 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.

  4. This is MAD I tell you. by HeckRuler · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yeah, I could see this sort of thing coming when I heard that the whole point in building up a patent portfolio was to keep others from suing you in some sort of MAD deterrence setup.
    They can't sue us because we'll sue them in retaliation? When has a lawyer EVER said "no, you can't sue them, that'd be stupid"?

  5. 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.

  6. Re:Lawsuit Untanglement by TheRaven64 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Visualisation to the rescue! The Guardian has a map of the lawsuits. It's missing this one, so the Microsoft to Motorola arrow should have an arrow at the other end too.

    --
    I am TheRaven on Soylent News
  7. 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!

  8. Re:Southern District of FL by kervin · · Score: 3, Informative

    Anyone know why Motorola chose this court??

    Motorola has a very large presence in Fort Lauderdale Florida.