Tag Archives: patent wars

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

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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.

Permalink   |  sourceKorea Times  | Email this | Comments

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

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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