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Apple Suit Against Motorola Over FRAND Licensing Rates Dismissed

chill writes "A suit by Apple claiming that Motorola Mobility, now owned by Google, is seeking unreasonably high license fees for the use of patents on wireless technology has been thrown out by a judge in Madison, Wisconsin. Last week, Apple told the court it would pay up to $1 per device for a license to Motorola patents covering cellular and Wi-Fi technologies. Motorola Mobility was arguing for a royalty payment of 2.25 percent on each device." From the article: "'At the final pretrial conference, I asked Apple to explain why it believed the court should determine a FRAND rate even though the rate may not resolve the parties' licensing or infringement disputes,' Crabb wrote in an order on Friday. 'I questioned whether it was appropriate for a court to undertake the complex task of determining a FRAND rate if the end result would be simply a suggestion that could be used later as a bargaining chip between the parties.'"

14 of 249 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I do not understand by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's pretty straightforward, actually: Apple are a bunch of cunts. Hope that clears things up.

  2. Re:Apple also said... by siddesu · · Score: 3, Funny

    Some might argue that the most important feature of the phone from the perspective of the marker is how well it sells. And when it comes to that, the rounded corners and the way the interface looks and behaves may be much more important than the actual tech that is working inside. People base a lot of purchasing decision on recommendations and advertising, not on reading the full specs.

  3. Re:I do not understand by mjwx · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's pretty straightforward, actually: Apple are a bunch of cunts. Hope that clears things up.

    The association of collective vagina's takes offence to this comparison.

    --
    Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  4. Re:Apple also said... by mjwx · · Score: 4, Funny

    Apple was a thug long before Steve Jobs declared thermonuclear war, but Jobs was a master at concealing that. Tim Cook isn't. This is one of several reasons that it is just wonderful for the rest of us that Tim Cook now runs Apple.

    Actually, Steve Jobs wasn't very good at concealing the fact he was an arsehole, this we have known since the 80's. Granted Tim Cook is worse at it, but that doesn't make Steve Jobs good at it.

    Think of it this way, I'm a better singer than 99.9999% of all rappers, but that doesn't mean I can hold a note (nor does it stop me wailing 80's power ballads down the highway).

    --
    Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  5. Re:I do not understand by Scowler · · Score: 3, Funny

    That's funny, we say the same thing about most anonymous cowards too!

  6. Re:Smart judge. by Tough+Love · · Score: 5, Funny

    For once, we have a judge who just wants to do her job.

    Lucy Koh is another judge who apparently just wants to do her job, but as an Apple employee.

    --
    When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
  7. Re:Apple also said... by jrumney · · Score: 4, Funny

    Some might argue that the most important feature of the phone from the perspective of the marker is how well it sells.

    The most important feature of a phone from the perspective of a marker is how absorbent the surfaces are. Gorilla glass - the marker is just going to rub off. Plastic is generally better but you still need to avoid touching it for a while to let it dry. Paper would be better, but not a practical material to make smart phones out of.

  8. Re:Apple also said... by jhoegl · · Score: 4, Funny

    Think of it this way, I'm a better singer than 99.9999% of all rappers, but that doesn't mean I can hold a note (nor does it stop me wailing 80's power ballads down the highway).

    The RIAA may beg to differ. At the rate we are going, our cars will listen to what we are singing, determine how many people are in the car listening to it, and automatically charge you for royalties on each person as well as a surcharge for bad singing.

  9. Re:Apple also said... by mjwx · · Score: 5, Funny

    Think of it this way, I'm a better singer than 99.9999% of all rappers, but that doesn't mean I can hold a note (nor does it stop me wailing 80's power ballads down the highway).

    The RIAA may beg to differ. At the rate we are going, our cars will listen to what we are singing, determine how many people are in the car listening to it, and automatically charge you for royalties on each person as well as a surcharge for bad singing.

    I'm sure I'm out of tune enough for it to be considered an original work. Especially with the low standards of originality in the music industry.

    --
    Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  10. Re:I do not understand by samion.blanc · · Score: 3, Funny

    yeah well the ACV can S my D

  11. A way to satisfy both companies.... by frohro · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well if Apple really only wants to pay $1.00 per phone, and Motorola says 2.25%, why not sell the phones for $44.44? Both companies would be happy, and so I suppose would the consumer.

  12. Re:Apple also said... by greg1104 · · Score: 5, Funny

    In your case then you'll also be required to license the Autotune patents.

  13. Re:Smart judge. by Tough+Love · · Score: 3, Funny

    For once, we have a judge who just wants to do her job.

    Lucy Koh is another judge who apparently just wants to do her job, but as an Apple employee.

    Ooh, some Apple spinmod did not like that post, oh dear.

    --
    When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
  14. Re:Apple also said... by Sepodati · · Score: 4, Funny

    Would you pay $600 for a polished slab of solid plastic?

    Does it have an Apple logo on it?