You might have been thinking, “What happens to Apple’s lawsuits against Motorola and its patent infringements now that Google is taking over?” Good question! Apple has decided to file motions to stay its two patent lawsuits against Motorola, stating that the DROID maker has ceded control of its patents over to Google.
According to Ars Technica:
“Motorola has ceded control of the most basic rights regarding the patents-in-suit,” Apple’s lawyers wrote in a court filing, according to Mueller. “Absent Google’s consent, Motorola cannot: (1) sue for infringement of its patents in any new action; (2) settle pending litigation (including this case) that would require a license to any of its patents; (3) license or sublicense its patents except in limited circumstances relating to the sale of Motorola’s products; (4) assign its rights in its patents; and/or (5) grant a covenant not to sue for infringement of its patents.”
Additionally, Google doesn’t have the right to pursue legal action regarding these matters, according to Apple. Instead, Apple says, “Google only has the right to veto actions taken by Motorola with respect to the patents.”
It seems that the $12.5 billion acquisition of Motorola by Google has its downsides, but overall, having the healthy portfolio of patents might help Android’s case against Apple, or at least a solid defense against the iPhone maker, in the long run.
[Via: Ars Technica]