What would a week in the mobile arena without legal drama be like? We have no idea, and probably never will. Today there's so much that we're just going to round it all up in one easy spot, then take a couple aspirin and chase the headache away. Without further adieu:
Motorola v Apple
Motorola will likely win another injunction against Apple in Germany. This time, it's a method describing how a mobile device synchronizes data with a server, and Moto seems pretty confident that iCloud and MobileMe violate their patents. This time the patents in question aren't covered under a FRAND defense, so Apple and Moto may have to fight this one out -- a move which Apple feels will cost over 2.7 billion (with a B) dollars. Read more at Phone Arena
BN v Microsoft
Barnes & Noble have filed more than 45 pages worth of links to prior art in their defense against Microsoft. Things ranging from Mosaic, Netscape, Unix man pages, and even work shown by Microsoft themselves. All these examples pre-date the patents Microsoft is using in their suit, and it looks like B&N is pretty damn serious about fighting back. Take a few aspirin of your own and check out Groklaw for the full details.
Samsung's redesigned German Galaxy Tab
Samsung has skirted their way around the ban of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany. A slight redesign where the metal bezel now wraps around the front of the device and is visible was all the German courts needed to allow the tablet to be sold. Personally, I would have redesigned it with rotating spikes designed to maim and cripple competitors (yes, I just watched Mad Max again), but there's a reason I'm not in charge of anything. I wonder how many millions were wasted on this one? See PCMag for more details.
Google's unlock patent
Google was granted a patent on the pattern unlock method they use for Android smartphones. And patents of ideas are still just as wrong as they ever were, even when it's Google getting them. In addition, Google was granted a patent on the method to use lockscreen based gestures to control other phone functions (think gesture based app launching). Could this mean Google has plans to add some new features to the lockscreen? Hurry up Android 5.0! Read more at 9 to 5 Google.
Is it happy hour yet? Thanks everyone who tipped us about these!
