Microsoft wins injunction against Motorola in Germany

[Leeky]

<p> Microsoft has <a href="https://allthingsd.com/20120920/microsoft-wins-sales-ban-against-googles-motorola-in-germany/?mod=googlenews">won an injunction against</a> certain Motorola Android devices after a regional court in Munich ruled that the phone maker is infringing on a software keyboard patent.</p> <p> Microsoft won two separate cases: one against Motorola Mobility Inc. and another against its German subsidiary and distribution organization, though both cases involve the German market. To have the injunction enforced, Microsoft must post a bond of €75 million ($97.19 million or €37.5 million for each case) along with €20 million ($25.91m) if it wants a product recall to be enforced.</p> <p> The patent in question, <a href="https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?FT=D&amp;date=20030502&amp;DB=worldwide.espacenet.com&amp;locale=en_EP&amp;CC=EP&amp;NR=1040406B1&amp;KC=B1&amp;ND=4">EU Patent No. EP1040406</a>, is described as "a method and system for receiving user input data into a computer system having a graphical windowing environment." Motorola must remove the infringing technology from its Android devices or strike a licensing deal with Microsoft to continue using it.</p> <p> Microsoft has been very successful in signing licensing agreements with handset manufacturers using Android. While Microsoft has been reluctant to reveal the patents used, <a href="https://www.techspot.com/news/47030-microsoft-strikes-another-android-patent-licensing-deal.html">industry analysts</a> estimate that the company earns around $3 to $6 per unit on over 70% of the Android devices sold in the US.</p> <p> According to <a href="https://www.fosspatents.com/2012/09/microsoft-wins-third-german-injunction.html">Foss Patents</a>, Motorola is the only company selling Android phones that doesn't have a license. The Google-owned outfit will almost certainly appeal and a request a stay of the injunction. However, Foss Patents notes that those decisions are an exception and not the rule in German courts.</p><p><a rel='canonical' href='https://www.techspot.com/news/50239-microsoft-wins-injunction-against-motorola-in-germany.html' target='_blank'>Permalink to story.</a></p><p class='permalink'><a rel='canonical' href='https://www.techspot.com/news/50239-microsoft-wins-injunction-against-motorola-in-germany.html'>https://www.techspot.com/news/50239-microsoft-wins-injunction-against-motorola-in-germany.html</a></p>

 

[TJGeezer]

Sounds like a fairly solid patent... whatever "solid" means in such a screwed-up IP legal system. More lawyers kept off the streets and that's good. I guess.