Microsoft, Google Kiss And Make Up Over Global Patent Row
Tech giants Microsoft and Google agreed to call off the legal hounds on all patent infringement claims related to a dozen and a half lawsuits filed against each other in the United States and Germany. The patents covered a bunch of varying technologies, including those uses in smartphones, Wi-Fi connectivity, Microsoft's Xbox console, and more.
As part of the agreement, Google also dropped all pending litigation involving Motorola Mobility, a former Google company that is now owned by Lenovo. When Google sold Motorola Mobility to Lenovo for $2.91 billion back in January of last year, Google kept many of the original patents. It was claimed that some of those patents were infringed upon in Microsoft's Xbox console, and likewise Microsoft claimed that some Motorola phones used certain features that belonged to Microsoft.
By agreeing to drop all current patent litigation, the slate is wiped clean between Microsoft and Google, the two of which will now work together on various technologies, including a royalty-free video format.
"Google and Microsoft have agreed to collaborate on certain patent matters and anticipate working together in other areas in the future to benefit our customers," the companies said in a joint statement.
Patent trolls notwithstanding, not many people are fans of the patent war that gained steam over the past decade. Microsoft had been very much involved, though under the guidance of Satya Nadella, the Redmond outfit seems more willing to settle these days.
One thing to note about the agreement between Microsoft and Google is that it doesn't prevent future lawsuits over other technologies. These two could wind up in court fighting each other all over again, though it seems they're both more willing to work with each other at this point.
As part of the agreement, Google also dropped all pending litigation involving Motorola Mobility, a former Google company that is now owned by Lenovo. When Google sold Motorola Mobility to Lenovo for $2.91 billion back in January of last year, Google kept many of the original patents. It was claimed that some of those patents were infringed upon in Microsoft's Xbox console, and likewise Microsoft claimed that some Motorola phones used certain features that belonged to Microsoft.
By agreeing to drop all current patent litigation, the slate is wiped clean between Microsoft and Google, the two of which will now work together on various technologies, including a royalty-free video format.
"Google and Microsoft have agreed to collaborate on certain patent matters and anticipate working together in other areas in the future to benefit our customers," the companies said in a joint statement.
Patent trolls notwithstanding, not many people are fans of the patent war that gained steam over the past decade. Microsoft had been very much involved, though under the guidance of Satya Nadella, the Redmond outfit seems more willing to settle these days.
One thing to note about the agreement between Microsoft and Google is that it doesn't prevent future lawsuits over other technologies. These two could wind up in court fighting each other all over again, though it seems they're both more willing to work with each other at this point.
