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Google Seeks US Ban On iPhones, iPads, Macs

Posted by timothy on from the ask-big-then-compromise dept.

theodp writes "Following up on an announcement that it would rid itself of 4,000 employees world-wide and renege on a deal with the State of Illinois, Google's Motorola Mobility unit said it has filed a new patent-infringement case against Apple, which seeks a ban on U.S. imports of devices including the iPhone, iPad and Mac computers. 'Apple's unwillingness to work out a license leaves us little choice but to defend ourselves and our engineers' innovations,' Motorola Mobility said in an e-mailed statement."

3 of 404 comments (clear)

  1. Well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Why not ban the two companies from doing business in the US until they iron out a deal?

    1. Re:Well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Nothing in the linked article supports the claim in the summary that they "renege[d] on a deal with the State of Illinois". All the article says is that their workforce will drop below 2500 and that consequently they will no longer be eligible for tax breaks. Nowhere does it suggest that they made any deal requiring them to retain a workforce above that level. If there is a link supporting the claim that they reneged on a deal in this matter then can someone provide it?

  2. Re:In other news Apple is banning Android devices by Snowhare · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Yep. This is Google explaining to Apple that they aren't the only one with patents. The monster patent portfolios of all the big players have exist in part to deter other large players from launching patent wars. It is a form of 'Mutually Assured Destruction'. Apple went nuclear starting a couple of years ago. Google (and other large players) are now launching their counter-strikes to demonstrate to Apple why it is a bad idea.

    If Apple has any sense (more likely now that Steve Jobs is gone) they will begin quietly trying to wind down the patent wars.