[360] Xbox 360 Components Found to Infringe on Motorola Patents in Initial Ruling

[padman59]

An administrative law judge has made an initial ruling in favor of Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. (MMI) that Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) infringed on patents for technology linked to the popular Xbox game console.

The International Trade Commission judge found that Microsoft infringed on four patents that deal with video display technology, but found that Microsoft didn't infringe on a fifth patent concerning WiFi connectivity.

The findings are recommendations to the commission. Microsoft will have the opportunity to respond in early May. The full commission is expected to rule in August.

Motorola said in a statement that it was "pleased" by the initial determination and that "we remain confident in our position" as the case moves toward a final ruling.

Microsoft's statement described the finding as a "first step in the process."

The action is related to the complex patent case that began in late 2010 and now spans courts in the U.S. and Europe dealing primarily with technologies for mobile communication and displaying video.

Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft claims the patents at the heart of the case are part of a group of technologies companies agreed to share. It claims that Motorola has sought unreasonable and discriminatory royalties for its technology.

Libertyville, Ill.-based Motorola alleges Microsoft's use of those patents violates standard use covered by sharing agreements. Motorola claims it attempted to negotiate a separate license but Microsoft was unwilling to accept its terms.

On a key question in the case, the administrative law judge found that Motorola did have grounds to make infringement claims against the Xbox. Administrative Law Judge David Shaw found that Motorola met the "domestic industry requirement," meaning Motorola did have a game business to defend.

Microsoft first filed suit against Motorola in October 2010 in federal court in Washington State and at the ITC. Motorola counter sued in the same courts on the same patents plus some additional patents. A year later, the two companies file suit in Germany over some of the same patents.

Microsoft shares closed down 0.9% to $32.12 Monday and Motorola shares finished 1% lower to $38.43.

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120423-719239.html

I'm interested to see how this turns out. Microsoft could still come out of this unscathed, but they could also be forced to stop selling 360s in the US if they lose.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

I don't think they would be forced to stop selling their console. If anything, they will definitely be forced to backpay a royalty fee, and probably pay the same for each console they sell after the ruling.

 

[padman59]

I don't think they would be forced to stop selling their console. If anything, they will definitely be forced to backpay a royalty fee, and probably pay the same for each console they sell after the ruling.

That seems like it would be in the middle ground from what I understand, and probably what will happen. The most extreme outcomes include Motorola forcing Microsoft to pull the 360s off the shelf of US retailers if the ITC rules in favor of Motorola.

 

[Chrispy]

Motorola suing left and right on patents, a judge found Apple in violation of a Motorola patent.

 

[Twigg4075]

Motorola suing left and right on patents, a judge found Apple in violation of a Motorola patent.

Good. I fucking hate Apple. Those mfers constantly steal other peoples ides and then turn around and patent them as their own. Slide to unlock? Really assholes?

 

[Maynard]

does this mean the PS3 fanboys will finally admit they lost?

 

[leaffan]

Motorola must be getting ready to go out of business because they are suing everyone trying to get money.

 

[Chrispy]

I think google is actually buying them

Google Inc. is buying Motorola for $12.5 billion. Google is interested in Motorola's thousands of patents.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap...sG_cxw?docId=c992e633b4894847a03093c8e1b943cb

 

[padman59]

does this mean the PS3 fanboys will finally admit they lost?

:gooby:

 

[KINGOFOOTBALL]

Motorola must be getting ready to go out of business because they are suing everyone trying to get money.

I think google is actually buying them

Google Inc. is buying Motorola for $12.5 billion. Google is interested in Motorola's thousands of patents.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap...sG_cxw?docId=c992e633b4894847a03093c8e1b943cb

This is Googles response to the endless petty IP lawsuits Apple and MS have been throwing around. At some point there was a stat that had Apple in the hundreds of lawsuits , MS in the dozens , and Google at ZERO when it came to patent lawsuits. They got fed up bought MMI last year and now returning the favor.
Current electronics market is about litigation not innovation. Lets hope this continues to send a message to other companies and specifically the patent offices that the current system is FUBAR.

 

[Twigg4075]

Like I said, that is one of the main reasons I despise Apple as a company. They really aren't that innovative like everyone makes them out to be. They take existing ideas and just flat out use them or make them a little better. And then they usually try to patent the ideas as their own which is fucking ridiculous.

 

[padman59]

Just an update:

The judged who ruled that Microsoft is infringing on Motorola patents recommended to the ITC that the import and sales of 4GB and 250GB Slim 360s be banned in the U.S.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-23-judge-recommends-us-xbox-360-ban

 

[spiker]

Damn that's harsh

 

[jms493]

Should I buy one before they pull them off the shelves and then charge an ungodly amount on ebay this XMAS??

 

[Realist]

What he said ^

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