Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Microsoft Wins German Sales Ban Against Motorola Mobility

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FOSS Patents: Microsoft has won a German patent infringement lawsuit against Google-owned Motorola Mobility. Judge Dr. Peter Guntz ruled that Android infringes on Microsoft’s “soft input panel system and method” patent. That patent covers the ability of the operating system to switch seamlessly between input methods–for example between keyboard input and voice input. By posting two bonds for 37.5 million euros ($48.6 million) each, Microsoft can enforce a sales ban against Motorola Mobility, and if it adds 20 million more euros ($25.9 million) to the pot, it can enforce a sales recall on devices covered by the ruling.

Patent expert Florian Mueller writes, “In my opinion, this is by far and away the technically most impactful patent, apart from standard-essential patents, to have been enforced against anyone in the smartphone patent wars.”

Microsoft has a similar case pending against Motorola in the U.S.

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