Googlerola Misusing Patents, EC Sends SO

A year after opening a formal investigation into how Motorola Mobility enforces its patents, the antitrust arm of the European Commission has sent the company an SO or statement of objections saying it’s misusing the standard-essential patents (SEPs) it’s got on mobile phones. The misuse comes from seeking injunctions in Germany that would legally bar allegedly infringing Apple products from being sold. The EC said Motorola’s behavior “amounts to an abuse of a dominant position prohibited by EU antitrust rules.” The EC’s decision is “preliminary,” and Googlerola can defend their actions either in writing or at a hearing although it’s not likely to sway the regulator. Apple complained last year that Motorola was demanding ludicrously steep license fees for IP that was supposed to be available on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms.

read more