Motorola sues Apple for patent infringement

Motorola Mobility, which is seeking regulatory approval to be bought by Google Inc., has filed a new lawsuit against Apple Inc., accusing the iPhone maker of infringing its technology patents.

The case filed in a Florida federal court on Wednesday is the latest turn in a bigger legal battle between Apple and Motorola Mobility, which runs its phones on Google's Android software -- the biggest rival of Apple's iOS mobile phone system.

Motorola said in the lawsuit that it was suing Apple for infringing six of its patents in products including its latest smartphone, the iPhone 4S. A spokesperson for Apple was not immediately available for comment.

The patents in question involve technologies related to wireless antennae, software, data filtering and messaging, according to the lawsuit.

The filing follows a preliminary decision issued earlier this month by the U.S. International Trade Commission that Motorola did not violate Apple patents in another case Apple brought against Motorola.

In December, Motorola won a preliminary injunction against Apple in Germany, which could bar the sale of iPhones and iPad tablets in that country. Google agreed to buy Motorola for $12.5 billion in August in an effort to gain control of the mobile phone maker's deep portfolio of patents.

The case is Motorola Mobility Inc vs Apple Inc, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Case No. 1:12-cv-20271-WJZ

Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

Discuss this post

Can't wait to watch Apple fall. All the hipsters will be lost without their corporate god to turn to.

  • 14 votes
#1 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:23 PM EST

Did you just say blah blah blah, because it sure sounded like it.

  • 15 votes
#1.1 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:55 PM EST

Just get an iPhone and get it over with. They're not that much more expensive than the knock-offs.

  • 3 votes
#1.2 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:11 PM EST

This is not the first nor will it be the last patent infringement lawsuit brought against Apple.. they will not "fall" due to this nor will they be forced to cease production and sale of their devices. If anything, this will get dragged out for three or four years and, dependent on judgment, Apple may pay Moto royalties for the infringement on their patents in the form of a settlement. You may also be interested to know that this suit is somewhat a response to a settlement in a patent infringement case brought against Moto by Apple (in which Moto was declared not to have infringed).

For anyone who thinks this is a big deal, I urge you to Google "Apple patent infringement cases."

Functions shared by many electronics have been patented as a result of lax standards and ambiguous filing. A movement by the major market players to gobble up as much intellectual property relating to devices has been the result of a veritable arms race. Welcome to the Patent Wars, your antenna better not be on the left side!

  • 2 votes
#1.3 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:16 PM EST

Can't wait to watch Apple fall. All the hipsters will be lost without their corporate god to turn to.

Funny how you view the hipsters as sheep for blindly loving Apple but fail to realize that you blindly hate Apple (and hipsters).

Baaah baaah.

  • 3 votes
#1.4 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:37 PM EST

You truly are remarkably stupid.

  • 2 votes
#1.5 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:05 PM EST

Apple: "Will we get sued today ? "

Siri: "It looks like a good chance of getting sued today."

I can't wait to find that the "Dragon" speach recognition software people are suing Apple. Maybe waiting 'till Apple makes a boatload of money, so they can siphon off some of it.

  • 3 votes
#1.6 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:42 PM EST

I guess what comes around goes around...

  • 2 votes
#1.7 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:28 PM EST

I guess what comes around goes around...

    #1.8 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:28 PM EST

    Phillip first poster

    You sound like you can only afford the Walmart cell phone.

    So I read to that Apple is suing Motorola. maybe they could call it even and work for more interest's in the I- phone.

      #1.9 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:22 PM EST

      You think the iPhone is for hipsters? Do you have any idea how many support calls I get a week from Doctors and Lawyers to set Exchange up on these things up compared to Android or BB. Ok, the number is not outrageous but it's like 20-1-0. Actually that "1" is more like a ".5". I don't care if they are all self important aholes, they're all buying the same toy. That's all I'm counting. (iPads included in estimate)

      The Apple is not about to fall off of the money tree any time soon. It's so huge, it's more like we're waiting for the tree to fall off the Apple.

      • 1 vote
      #1.10 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:56 PM EST

      Why can't Apple have their phones and pads banned in the US? Apple had Samsung products banned in other countries. What is good for one is good for all, right?

      • 1 vote
      #1.11 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:37 PM EST

      Just get an iPhone and get it over with. They're not that much more expensive than the knock-offs.

      Oh but if I did I would be enforcing cheap and unsafe labor conditions in China. But that's OK, cause Apple really cares about their consumers...baaaaaaaaa baaaaaaaa baaaaaaaa

      <3 Nexus, long live the android army!

        #1.12 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:17 AM EST

        Oh but if I did I would be enforcing cheap and unsafe labor conditions in China. But that's OK, cause Apple really cares about their consumers...baaaaaaaaa baaaaaaaa baaaaaaaa

        <3 Nexus, long live the android army!

        So where exactly do you think your phone was manufactured and by whom?

        Apple sells a high quality product that does exactly what their customers want it to do. I bought an awesome product and subscribe for service through a wireless carrier - transaction finished.

        What should I be expecting from Apple? They don't owe me a thing, however they somehow manage to provide me regular software updates that add value to my experience with the product. They also happen to host and support the most extensive library of media and third party applications, all at reasonable prices. Bah, bah, right? Get a grip.

          #1.13 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:02 AM EST

          So from my understanding, our level of respect for you went down 20 notches because you did baa like a sheep and defended a company that doesn't take care of their workers in China. Last I checked the other phone manufacturers are NOT having that problem.

          So go ahead, support your beloved Apple toy, and relish on that fact that you alone has caused 10 people to die in those factories, and probably many more in the future.

          Way to raise the bar!

            #1.14 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 11:04 AM EST

            Way to raise the bar!

            Yeah! We need to keep this civil!

            (baaa baaa baaa)

              #1.15 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 11:36 PM EST

              So from my understanding, our level of respect for you went down 20 notches because you did baa like a sheep and defended a company that doesn't take care of their workers in China. Last I checked the other phone manufacturers are NOT having that problem.

              "Their" workers? Who exactly do you think employs these individuals? Because it isn't Apple. Apple also isn't the only consumer electronics company who bids parts and manufaturing to third party suppliers in China - in fact, nearly all of them do. I am defending Apple less than I am trying to posit that this isn't an issue unique to their manufacturing process.

              So go ahead, support your beloved Apple toy, and relish on that fact that you alone has caused 10 people to die in those factories, and probably many more in the future.

              As a consumer, Apple's corporate responsibility or China's national policies are of no concern to me. Until a viable substitute product becomes available, I will purchase whatever phone I please.

              Way to raise the bar!

              Likewise.

                #1.16 - Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:16 AM EST

                As a consumer, Apple's corporate responsibility or China's national policies are of no concern to me. Until a viable substitute product becomes available, I will purchase whatever phone I please.

                A-Typical fanboi response, the 'I don't care I'm still going to get it cause it's Apple' mentality. You should care about Apple's corporate responsibility, you are one of their followers, you give them money to suckle on, and in return, you get a halfway decent product. But hey, if you're happy then that's awesome, but this ain't church, so don't preach.

                "Their" workers? Who exactly do you think employs these individuals? Because it isn't Apple. Apple also isn't the only consumer electronics company who bids parts and manufaturing to third party suppliers in China - in fact, nearly all of them do. I am defending Apple less than I am trying to posit that this isn't an issue unique to their manufacturing process.

                If you really want to get to the technical aspects of it by all means continue, but the fact of the matter is the head of that latter is Apple and they should be concerned about what is going on. They can claim that everything is fine over there, and there can be people who believe what they say because it's Apple. Samsung and HTC also manufactures there, they also have their own plants and workers, and they have been doing this waaaay before Apple came into the picture. Somehow I don't think they are getting the same rap as Apple. So yes, they all do, but Apple clearly has an issue they are ignoring.

                Likewise.

                Just pointing out the obvious sport.

                  #1.17 - Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:39 AM EST
                  Reply

                  x2

                    Reply#2 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:51 PM EST

                    I wonder how much this lawsuit will affect Apple's stock price. Probably not much until if/when the suit is won.

                      Reply#3 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:00 PM EST

                      Likely not at all. This is a minor blip on the radar compared to everything else Apple's legal team deals with on a daily basis.

                        #3.1 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:17 PM EST

                        Probably just have to replace 20,000 Foxconn employees to cover the cost.

                          #3.2 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:44 PM EST
                          Reply

                          All these phones are the same, and all made in Asia.

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#4 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:31 PM EST

                          it is just a pissing contest between both companies

                            Reply#5 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:42 PM EST

                            Pretty much, a lot of these companies have tech that could "technically" infringe on a patent someone else holds, and they kind of have this stance of "well if you don't sue me for patent x, I won't sue you over patent y". And that's exactly what we're seeing here.

                              #5.1 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:22 AM EST
                              Reply

                              Everybody knows Apple would never steal someone's patent. Everyone else is always stealing Apple's patents. Isn't that what Apple thinks? Apple has double standards in addition to highly overpriced products. They rule by legal intimidation--same way they treat their employees.

                              • 5 votes
                              Reply#6 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:10 PM EST

                              Apple products are priced exactly the same as their competitors' counterparts.

                              The ambiguous patent arms race that has occurred over the past ten years has fueled intensely litigious behavior industry-wide. Apple just happens to be the most widely publicized due to the popularity of their products.

                              The workers who manufacture the phones are employed by subcontractors such as Foxconn. Apple does not hire or manage these employees. It has come to light that Apple has included clauses relating to fair labor practices in their manufacturing contracts, however Apple is not the governing body in the nations in which manufacturing occurs. They have no lawful ability to enforce other than declaring a breach of their agreement and taking their business elsewhere. This is not an Apple problem by any stretch of the imagination.

                              In short, you're grossly misinformed.

                                #6.1 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:18 AM EST

                                Apple is at fault for over-patenting everything to anything common, and suing everyone to anything to get their way. It means they are scared and they should be after stealing everyone else's ideas!! Everyone 'normal' in this world see's that, but not the Applites, they are so in love with their product they would believe anything Apple says because it's Apple.

                                And...secondly Apple is at fault for worker conditions since they are manufacturing their devices, and they should be concerned. Your logic states that you don't care where it comes from, so that means if a factory has a virus in their food, and main company manufactures food from factory, thus selling said food to consumers, and consumers get sick...it's not said company's fault, it's the factory, so they shouldn't care if people die from their product. Yeah, real logical man, but hey you have your cute little iPhone so you honestly don't give a rats a** about where it came from.

                                  #6.2 - Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:59 AM EST

                                  Oh yes and here: http://business.newsvine.com/_news/2011/12/19/9566263-apple-wins-partial-victory-in-smartphone-claim#c60878458

                                  Apple copies and patents what it copies to sue everyone else. You're support for their products is only making it worse.

                                    #6.3 - Sat Jan 28, 2012 4:04 AM EST
                                    Reply

                                    HA....Apple is the knock off. Android was built in 2004!

                                    • 2 votes
                                    Reply#7 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:26 PM EST

                                    The first Android phone came out in 2008. The first iPhone was released in 2007.

                                    The development cycle was largely coterminous, so who is to say who "stole" from who?

                                      #7.1 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:23 AM EST

                                      Umm you're wrong, the first smartphone was manufactured in 1999, and the first android phone came out in 2006. Before spewing your toxic Apple loving crap maybe you should, I dunno, research it first? Siri will not help you on this one pal.

                                        #7.2 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 11:06 AM EST

                                        Umm you're wrong, the first smartphone was manufactured in 1999, and the first android phone came out in 2006. Before spewing your toxic Apple loving crap maybe you should, I dunno, research it first? Siri will not help you on this one pal.

                                        I did not dispute the origins of the smartphone. So I don't know where you're coming from there. However, I urge you to show me any published information that demonstrates an Android consumer release at any point prior to 2008. Here's a hint: the T-Mobile G1 was the first Android phone.

                                        I'm not claiming "FIRST!1!" Just simply stating facts as I see them. There was no Android-based consumer tech available in either 2004 or 2006.

                                          #7.3 - Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:08 AM EST

                                          I did not dispute the origins of the smartphone. So I don't know where you're coming from there. However, I urge you to show me any published information that demonstrates an Android consumer release at any point prior to 2008. Here's a hint: the T-Mobile G1 was the first Android phone.

                                          I'm not claiming "FIRST!1!" Just simply stating facts as I see them. There was no Android-based consumer tech available in either 2004 or 2006.

                                          My bad, you are correct, 2008 for the HTC Dream, otherwise called the G1. However....

                                          The development cycle was largely coterminous, so who is to say who "stole" from who?

                                          I'm going to give you a VERY big hint on this one: Apple stole from Palm OS, Blackberry OS and Windows Mobile OS (6.5 and below)...oh wait oops not a hint anymore, I just answered your question. Apple came last in the race since Android was in development since 2003 by Mr. Rubin himself! Another hint, as part of the 'open handset alliance', Android was going for a well operated open source platform to be used by many consumer devices. So far it looks like it's working.

                                          So, who stole from whom? Who was first? IBM was first, Palm was second, Apple stole ideas from Palm, and THAT was an awesome phone, period.

                                            #7.4 - Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:51 AM EST
                                            Reply

                                            HA....Apple is the knock off. Android was built in 2004!

                                              Reply#8 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:27 PM EST

                                              The corproate greedmeisters must love it when you all offer such rabid support of the behemoths. It's similar to the Republicans getting the poorest and most ignorant poor white people to go along with their big business agenda. So why do you phone lovers continue to superglue your lips to the biggest, geediest corporate behind? They must love you.

                                                Reply#9 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:21 PM EST

                                                The corproate greedmeisters must love it when you all offer such rabid support of the behemoths. It's similar to the Republicans getting the poorest and most ignorant poor white people to go along with their big business agenda. So why do you phone lovers continue to superglue your lips to the biggest, geediest corporate behind? They must love you.

                                                  Reply#10 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:22 PM EST

                                                  I can't use an Apple product...

                                                  I'm afraid it will suck the "straight" out of me.

                                                  • 2 votes
                                                  Reply#11 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:39 PM EST

                                                  Hah!

                                                    #11.1 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:18 AM EST
                                                    Reply

                                                    My advice, "Never take advice from a moron who is gullible enough to be charged to type on a PHONE."

                                                    • 1 vote
                                                    Reply#12 - Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:41 PM EST

                                                    Never take advice from someone who has to ask it's phone the simplest of questions

                                                    • 1 vote
                                                    #12.1 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:19 AM EST
                                                    Reply

                                                    Thank god, someone actually noticed. I was beginning to wonder, if Motorola was flying blind.

                                                    Down With Apple.

                                                    • 1 vote
                                                    Reply#13 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 12:18 AM EST

                                                    Laughably predictable. The company with the most money always gets sued - if not by other companies then eventually by the feds. The federal government has killed so many great American Companies over the years - US Steel, GM, IBM, AT&T, Microsoft, I guarantee Google and Apple are next (in that order).

                                                      Reply#14 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:03 AM EST

                                                      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Also, it seems the Apple lovers in here are rather thin skinned. Time to face the facts, Apple's sh!t smells just like anyone else!!!

                                                        Reply#15 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:03 AM EST

                                                        I hope Motorola cleans them out money wise of the money they making off cheap labor.

                                                          Reply#16 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:09 AM EST

                                                          You think Motorola doesn't do the same exact thing?

                                                            #16.1 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:25 AM EST
                                                            Reply

                                                            I hope Motorola Mobility/Google keep manufacturing (assembly) here in America because a MADE IN USA sticker will go a long way selling to the Federal Government, the States, Municipalities, Schools, Military not to mention every consumer who enjoys keeping America strong. It commands respect worldwide. MADE IN USA.

                                                            I think I might even tolerate some Hencho or some Fabrique but if the parts leave North America I will boycott!!!

                                                              Reply#17 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:27 AM EST

                                                              Perhaps you should do some research into where Motorola's factories are located... you'll be disappointed I'm sure.

                                                                #17.1 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:28 AM EST
                                                                Reply

                                                                All these companies are constantly suing each other. And we get to pay for it.

                                                                Of course they are going to infringe each other patents. They hire the same pool of talent. This is why all phones should be open source from the ground up. But no, Apple sues Samsung while they buy more samsung chips then anybody and who get's to pay the higher prices for a completely ridiculous suit? At the very least we should put a law it place that says if you are suing someone then you can't be their partner too. Fine Apple, you want to sue Samsung go right ahead but first you have to stop buying their product!

                                                                And yes I know this was not about this suit but it highlights the ridiculousness of these suits.

                                                                  Reply#18 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 11:34 AM EST

                                                                  The funniest part of all this is that by the time this actually goes to trial (if it goes that far) the phones will be long past using whatever it is they are suing over. Since the shelflife of a smart phone has been shrinking continuously, the next generation from Apple probably won't infringe on the patent. This is all about making the lawyers richer.

                                                                    Reply#19 - Thu Jan 26, 2012 12:18 PM EST
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