Google Ends Patent War Against Microsoft

One of several patent disputes between internet giant Google and the world’s largest software maker, Microsoft, has been terminated.

The two American multinationals clashed after the now Google-owned Motorola Mobility, took issue with the video compression technology used in Microsoft’s Xbox 360. It had also argued that Microsoft was using its Wi-Fi innovations.

As part of the dispute, which erupted in November 2010 before Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility, Google had requested that the US International Trade Commission (ITC), which handles patent disputes, impose an Xbox sales ban on Microsoft.

Prior to  the motion to terminate the investigation, the ITC had been considering allegations that Microsoft infringed on its patented technology to create its popular Xbox console, and a hearing was scheduled for later this year.

Calls to withdraw further claims

Following news of the recent withdrawal, Microsoft’s deputy general counsel, David Howard, said: “We’re pleased that Google has finally withdrawn these claims for exclusion orders (sales bans) against Microsoft, and hope that it will now withdraw similar claims pending in other jurisdictions.”

According to the request to terminate document, Motorola Mobility initially filed a complaint against Microsoft two years ago, based on violations of five patents.

In October 2012 Motorola Mobility then filed an unopposed motion to terminate two of the five patents and this motion was granted a month later.

The motion to withdraw said: “It was in the public interest, which favors the private resolution of disputes to avoid needless litigation and to conserve private and public resources.”

Following the latest withdrawal of the two allegations, Google said it is serving the public interest by terminating the patents as it will save the ITC’s and other private parties’ resources and time, by eliminating two more patents from the case.

According to the filing this now leaves one remaining patent in the investigation.