Apple and Google Spent More Money on Legal Fees Than R&D Last Year (And Google Apparently Thinks Apple Wants It That Way) [Patent Wars]

We’ve said it on multiple occasions: The American patent system is fucked. And a sprawling feature appearing in today’s NY Times—collecting years worth of tech-related patent tragedies and follies—only makes that fact more apparent. But it wasn’t just recapping old news; the Times put forth a couple of tidbits, which, if true, are a bit disconcerting for the future of technology. More »

Motorola Renegs on Patent Complaint Against Apple [Patent Wars]

Without any explanation Motorola has withdrawn its complaint with the International Trade Commission that Apple is infringing on seven of its patents. Just a guess, but maybe it has something to do with the $1.05 billion dollars Samsung was recently ordered to pay Apple for copying the designs of the iPhone and iPad. More »

Google’s Eric Schmidt slams patent wars, still has nice things to say about Apple and Samsung

Eric Schmidt’s recent trip to Seoul wasn’t all spontaneous Gangnam dancing. Google’s former-CEO / current executive chair had a lot to say during the Korean launch of the company’s Nexus 7 tablet, bemoaning the patent wars that have ensnarled the industry, telling the crowd, “literally patent wars prevent choice, prevent innovation and I think that is very bad. We are obviously working through that and trying to make sure we stay on the right side of these issues.” The war for marketshare ought to be fought with the release of better products, rather legal maneuvering, according to the executive.

But in spite of Apple’s role in the battle — and the company’s decision to go it alone on products like its troubled Maps app — Schmidt still had kind words for Cupertino, calling the company “a very good partner,” and adding that the, “two companies are literally talking all the time about everything.” The exec also told the crowd that he’d be meeting with Samsung, one of the company’s “most important partners,” during the trip, “as I do every time I come here.”

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Google’s Eric Schmidt slams patent wars, still has nice things to say about Apple and Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft wins injunction against Motorola in German court, aims to strike patent license deal

Motorola and Microsoft are no strangers to the patent war tango, and today marks the third injunction against the Droid maker in the German court. Judge Dr. Guntz of the Munich I regional court ruled that Motorola infringes on a Microsoft patent for “soft input panel system and method,” granting Microsoft the ability to ban sales of some Motorola devices in the country. Essentially, the patent in question covers the software required to let applications flexibly receive input from different sources, such as the touchscreen keyboard and voice input.

As Florian Mueller of Foss Patents points out, the functionality covered by this patent is utilized by the vast majority of apps, and among Android device makers only Google-owned Motorola Mobility is not paying Microsoft a patent license for this feature. Microsoft Corporate Vice President David Howard issued a statement with a not-so-subtle dig at the company in question: “We will continue to enforce injunctions against Motorola products in Germany and hope Motorola will join other Android device makers by taking a license to Microsoft’s patented inventions.” Google can (and most certainly will) appeal the ruling, so the saga continues…

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Microsoft wins injunction against Motorola in German court, aims to strike patent license deal originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceFoss Patents  | Email this | Comments

Samsung Will Reportedly Sue Apple Over a 4G LTE iPhone 5 (Updated) [Patent Wars]

The $1.05 billion Samsung has been ordered to pay Apple has not ended fight between the two companies. In fact, the battle might get even more complicated. According to the Korea Times, Samsung will sue Apple once again over LTE patents the iPhone 5 reportedly infringes on. More »

Apple Wants to Ban These Samsung Products [Apple Vs Samsung]

That was fast. After examining the verdict, Apple is now seeking to ban these Samsung products from the market: More »

Apple Winning the Patent Wars Is Great for Innovation [Patent Wars]

I said this in August 24, 2011, exactly one year before a US jury declared that Samsung had intentionally copied Apple and then some: “We hope Apple wins the patent wars.” And happily, they did. More »

Samsung Throws a Temper Tantrum in Court Battle Against Apple and Leaks Dismissed Evidence to the Press [Patent Wars]

When a judge decides to dismiss evidence you feel would make your case in a patent lawsuit, you have one of two options: a) You can sit back and deal with it like a timid little tktkt or b) you can fire back and choose another public-facing channel to disseminate your information. Samsung chose the latter, opting to send its dismissed slides from its legal battle with Apple to the press, and drawing the ire of the judge overseeing the case. More »

Galaxy Nexus Pulled From Google Play Store [Patent Wars]

Last week US courts ruled in favor of Apple by granting a preliminary injunction against Samsung’s Google-designed smartphone, the Galaxy Nexus. Now, the phone has been pulled from the Google Play store, and Goggle is hurrying to put together a software patch to get around the ban. More »

Courts Side with Apple to Block Samsung Galaxy Nexus [Patent Wars]

First the Galaxy Tab 10.1, now the Galaxy Nexus. Apple has, for the second time in two weeks, convinced the court to bar the sale of a competing Samsung product for patent infringement. More »