Motorola Sues Microsoft Alleging Patent Infringement
Motorola Inc., the second-largest U.S. mobile-phone maker, filed complaints against Microsoft Corp. alleging it infringed technology patents, countering an earlier suit by the software maker.
Microsoft’s personal-computer, server, mobile and Xbox products infringe 16 patents, Schaumburg, Illinois-based Motorola said today in complaints filed in federal courts in Florida and Wisconsin.
Microsoft filed its patent-infringement claims last month targeting Motorola phones that use the Android operating system. The lawsuits reflect a broader fight for a share of the burgeoning smartphone market. Apple Inc., the largest U.S. phone maker, filed an U.S. International Trade Commission complaint against Motorola on Oct. 29. Like Microsoft, it’s seeking to block imports of phones made by Motorola. Apple also has sued HTC Corp. and Nokia Oyj.
Microsoft’s complaints are being investigated by the ITC, which has the power to block imports of products. In today’s suit, Motorola’s Mobility unit requested that Microsoft cease using its technology and pay compensation for past infringements.
“It is unfortunate that Microsoft has chosen the litigation path rather than entering into comprehensive licensing negotiations,” Kirk Dailey, a vice president of Motorola Mobility, said in a statement. “Motorola has mutually beneficial licensing relationships with the great majority of technology companies industrywide.”
Jennifer Erickson, a Motorola spokeswoman, said the company isn’t commenting beyond the statement. Messages seeking comment from Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft weren’t immediately returned.
Google Inc. developed the Android operating system and offers it for free to makers of mobile devices.
To contact the reporter on this story: Ian King in San Francisco at ianking@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Tom Giles at tgiles5@bloomberg.net
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