German Court Grants Motorola Xbox and Windows 7 Sales Ban

First time accepted submitter Celexi writes "In a surprising move, Motorola Mobility (which is to be taken over by Google), has won an injunction preventing the distribution of Windows 7 and the Xbox in Germany until Microsoft starts paying royalty fees for the patents Microsoft is said to be infringing (two patents used to display H.264 video). The ruling is suspended as of now because of a restraining order, the effect in the rest of the EU and U.S. if the ban is enforced if the restraining order is lifted, is unclear." This could go into effect as soon as May 7th, pending the result of the next U.S. case hearing.

Comments

For all those who bashed webM/Mozilla

[Billly Gates]

All I have to say is I told you so.

Like Motorolla would be happy letting you download and use a HTML 5 browser for free. Obviously you simply can't.

With this and the potential ruling that merely syntax is copyrightable in the Oracle VS Google case 2 things will happen. Either people will see how rediculious patents and copyright are and change. Or the bribery will continue and no one but big pockets will compete. Hell, MS has big pockets and still are getting nailed. This is getting nuts.

It seems China and India are the only ones not crazy here.

Re:Google has lowered itself to patent proxy wars

[Microlith]

legally and reasonably

Legally maybe, but reasonably?

Microsoft licensed technology

Were you cheering for them as they trolled companies using Linux and demanded they pay for "Linux licenses?"

At least use MeeGo or something similar open

And if you were even remotely successful Microsoft would still threaten you. Patents are just one of Microsoft's weapons to wield against competitors.

Motorola is not Google yet

[Anonymous Coward]

The Motorola / Google deal hasn't closed yet, until it does Google can not control legally Motorola. Let Google take control of the company before you start blaming them. Motorola is struggling tech company with a lot IP so it really shouldn't surprise anyone that it turned to IP litigation just like so many other tech companies on their way out. Until Google takes over this is Motorola hedging in case the merger falls through.

Whaaaaaaa

[Anonymous Coward]

Microsoft gets $15 per Android handset for patents so weak they won't reveal in public. So if Google sticks it to Microsoft the world is a better place and good on them.

To use Microsoft's own phrase "Whaaaaaaaa".

Don't dish it out if you can't take it.

Retalliation

[Bert64]

Aren't Motorola acting in self defense? As i understand it, MS has been trying to shake down android handset manufacturers for a while and motorola are one of the few that refused to give in to their demands.