83 replies to this topic 7 votes

[cropcircles]

If this even makes it to trial it'll be 5 years from now. MS has a fleet of lawyers to deal the hundreds of antitrust lawsuits they've been handed over the years for stealing product ideas and then implementing into their own products. It won't be billions but it'll get settled for lots of millions.

[ArialBlue]

Anthony Tosie, on 07 May 2012 - 22:31, said:

I think this ruling could have absolutely massive ramifications on the patent system and patent litigation. If Motorola wins and Microsoft doesn't get a favorable appeal, the patent system is going to be even more messed up than it currently is, which seems impossible.

Let us drink beer and watch the world burn.

[pickypg]

Majesticmerc, on 07 May 2012 - 22:12, said:

This insanity has to stop, it really does. The whole thing is just a goddamn mess. Lawsuits over patents hidden behind NDA's, ridiculous licencing terms, patents on standard components, bans on product imports, copyright on lines of code. The whole tech industry is drowning in lawsuits, and the only winners are the lawyers.

I completely agree, but I should note that you cannot hide patents. The only unadvertised patents are those that are hidden by the government due to "national security" concerns.

There is one caveat though. You do not have to advertise your patent portfolio either. Even though they are all published, no one has any hope of being able to go through all relevant patents to look for self-infringement. It's just not possible.

[Xerxes]

It will get thrown out of court, nobody will stand for it. Motorola/Google are just greedy. Not to mention Motorola/Google just made a massive mistake and awakened the beast, they think MS are stopping at just getting licensing fees from every Android handset sold? they are only getting started. That is my 2 cents, take with a grain of salt.

[DevilsNotDead]

Microsoft started this by charging Android vendors for some standard patents...
Google knows it and its payback time for them... Nothing wrong with that.
Google is trying to protect android from MS, simple as that.

[Xerxes]

DevilsNotDead, on 07 May 2012 - 23:00, said:

Microsoft started this by charging Android vendors for some standard patents...
Google knows it and its payback time for them... Nothing wrong with that.
Google is trying to protect android from MS, simple as that.

I disagree, what MS did was understandable and what they demanded was reasonable. If Google wants to rip off MS they have to pay the price (not to mention they [Google] are still in hot water with Oracle for the parts of Java they [did or didn't] rip off). However, what Motorola/Google are doing is insanity! if this gets passed, it will be a dark day indeed.

[ichi]

Anthony Tosie, on 07 May 2012 - 22:31, said:

I think this ruling could have absolutely massive ramifications on the patent system and patent litigation. If Motorola wins and Microsoft doesn't get a favorable appeal, the patent system is going to be even more messed up than it currently is, which seems impossible.

You'll only see the patent system reformed if those sitting on a pile of patents get really burnt by it. Big companies have invested far too much money in those patents to accept any reform that weakens the offensive value of their IP, even if that means being slightly inconvenienced every now and then.

[DevilsNotDead]

Xerxes, on 07 May 2012 - 22:59, said:

It will get thrown out of court, nobody will stand for it. Motorola/Google are just greedy.

imo, this whole Motorola/Google suing wouldnt have happened if MS have not started charging Android vendors.
MS was greed imo.

[farmeunit]

Xerxes, on 07 May 2012 - 23:05, said:

I disagree, what MS did was understandable and what they demanded was reasonable. If Google wants to rip off MS they have to pay the price (not to mention they [Google] are still in hot water with Oracle for the parts of Java they [did or didn't] rip off). However, what Motorola/Google are doing is insanity! if this gets passed, it will be a dark day indeed.

All MS had to do was bargain, not fiile a lawsuit. They expect everyone to bow to them, and Google is taking a stand. Not to mention MS attacking all the handset makers. People complained about Google not helping, well here it is.

[nohone]

DevilsNotDead, on 07 May 2012 - 23:00, said:

Microsoft started this by charging Android vendors for some standard patents...
Google knows it and its payback time for them... Nothing wrong with that.
Google is trying to protect android from MS, simple as that.

When this was first announced, the Google fans claimed that Google had no part in it, that Google does not yet own Moto because no money has yet changed hands and therefore cannot control what they do. Now you say it is time for Google to get payback, that Google is protecting Android. If that is true, then I guess Google is controlling Moto. So which is it, Google does control Moto, or they do not control Moto.

Either way, I think it is time for Microsoft to start charging $200/device for the patents Android is infringing on. Add to this what Oracle will get since they have won at least part of their patent dispute, Android will become very expensive.

[Growled]

webeagle12, on 07 May 2012 - 22:41, said:

Apparently for some people here it's OK to go "one way road". It's ok for Microsoft to take money from Google but not vise verse. I love it.

I've noticed this. It's very humorous to read.

[+Majesticmerc]

pickypg, on 07 May 2012 - 22:54, said:

I completely agree, but I should note that you cannot hide patents. The only unadvertised patents are those that are hidden by the government due to "national security" concerns.

I was referring to when when Microsoft was (and still is) litigating against Android handset manufacturers. The manufacturers were forced to sign a NDA before Microsoft would tell them which patents they'd violated. To me, that's beyond insane.

[Enron]

Is Motorola charging the same amount to all manufacturers using its patents or are they singling out Microsoft?

If Google/Motorola's thing holds up in court, what's to stop Microsoft from charging Android manufacturers equally outrageous amounts?

[zeke009]

(Spork), on 07 May 2012 - 21:55, said:

But Microsoft picked this fight with Google. Microsoft has been attacking Android by going after the companies that build devices on it. It has bullied more than a half dozen Android/Linux device makers into paying it royalties on every device they made. Microsoft has reportedly been asking for $5 - $15 per unit (not pennies). Barnes & Noble refused to pay and the two were in court until they settled last week. That settlement keeps Microsoft's Android patent shake-down scheme in tact.

Not siding with either party here, but I have to ask.

Is Android or the OEM's infringing on patents owned by Microsoft? Yes or no question. If yes, how is this a fight and why shouldn't they defend their patents? The same goes for MS, if they are using someone elses work, pay up. But this really seems like retaliation with the mention of FRAND.

If Android is infringing, why isn't Google fixing it? They have MS and Oracle after them and who knows who else is preparing to file, it seems like they have some serious issues to address.

[pwgarner]

webeagle12, on 07 May 2012 - 22:41, said:

Apparently for some people here it's OK to go "one way road". It's ok for Microsoft to take money from Google but not vise verse. I love it.

I don't really see this as vice verse. It feels as if they are taking it a little too far. $4 billion a year is kinda steep for wifi. I thought fair and reasonable meant for everyone, not just the people we are mad at for the moment. These patent things seem to go round and round with the big companies so just like Apple was trying to block devices what happens if now MS does this for Android? We need reform not more payouts.