The ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) appointed by the International Trade Commission in the case of Apple v. Motorola has determined that Motorola Mobility does not violate three Apple-held patents. A statement issued today by Motorola also says the following from Scott Offer, senior vice president and general counsel of Motorola Mobility:
We are pleased with today’s favorable outcome for Motorola Mobility. Motorola Mobility has worked hard over the years to develop technology and build an industry-leading intellectual property portfolio. We are proud to leverage this broad and deep portfolio to create differentiated innovations that enhance the user experience.
The patents (collectively referred to as multitouch patents) in dispute covered ways to interact with the screen, including tapping, sliding and pinching with one or more fingers, and Apple claimed that Droid, Droid 2, Droid X, Cliq, BackFlip, Devour and Charm specifically were in violation.
Details are still a bit sparse, and this is best left for a legal expert to break down, but we wanted to share this breaking news with you guys. The full press release is after the break.
Motorola Mobility Comments on Initial Determination from ITC
ALJ determines that Motorola Mobility does not violate Apple’s patents
LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Jan. 13, 2012 – Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) ("Motorola Mobility") today announced that it has received notice that the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) in the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) action brought by Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) against Motorola Mobility has issued an initial determination. The ALJ ruled in favor of Motorola Mobility, finding no violation for any of the three Apple patents listed in Apple’s suit.
“We are pleased with today’s favorable outcome for Motorola Mobility,” said Scott Offer, senior vice president and general counsel of Motorola Mobility. “Motorola Mobility has worked hard over the years to develop technology and build an industry-leading intellectual property portfolio. We are proud to leverage this broad and deep portfolio to create differentiated innovations that enhance the user experience.”
Business Risks
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the impact of this litigation and future actions with respect to this litigation. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the successful defense of the claims by Microsoft and protection of the company’s intellectual property; the timing of the matters before the ITC; the company’s continued ability to sell its mobile device products; and the other risks and uncertainties contained and identified in Motorola Mobility's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof Motorola Mobility does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances or update the reasons that actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.
Reader comments
ITC Judge rules in favor of Motorola in Apple patent dispute
Every time Apple steals something they attempt to patent it and then sue anyone and everyone if they succeed in getting a patent. There needs to be some kind of punishment when they do this kind of stuff. Same with Microsoft and anyone else who engages in this predatory practice. Yes, patents need to be protected, but patenting things that you didn't invent, or patenting things like gestures, is absurd and there needs to be a heavy hand brought against companies who are attempting to change the way we do business through patent lawsuits.
Software patents are ridiculous in the first place. They should be all invalidated, including the one that I'm a part of.
My company made a rather simple innovation in how our product handles certain transactions. We decided to patent it. I had a hand in designing part of it. They came to me to get me to sign for a patent application. I was quite shocked. It's ridiculous. What we did shouldn't be subject to protection and neither should other software patents.
Well it may be helpful if your company has this patent when companies like apple show their ugly head. You can at least have something to protect yourself.
So basically, Apple doesn't own this patent and Motorola can, if they don't own it yet, get the patent for multitouch.
In other words, Apple will have to pay for this patent and all previous products that they have used it on.
Keep on suing Apple, your stockholders will surely love bleeding money.
On any of these cases, where Apple loses every one of their suits in a case, they should have to pay the other company's legal fees.
I love it when crapple looses a lawsuit
Whoa Whoa watch it you put "apple" in your word, they might try and sue you. I'd lawyer up just incase! I heard the sued Johnny Appleseed over the use of the apple name, and because he was freely distributing the internals that create macintosh and all other apple stuff. ;)
iMore... what a ridiculous name.....
I'm sure Apple is looking how to sue the website for having an underscore "i" in front of the website name...
Meanwhile over at iMore (or less) ex TiPb we have crickets......
Imore never posts any negative apple news. I think apple should have its products banned for a few months like samsung was. And pay all legal fees.
To be fair the mobile nation for the most part tends to not post any of these cases. Honestly I am surpised android central posted it.
For part mobile nation does not get involved in the crapents cases.
To be fair the mobile nation for the most part tends to not post any of these cases. Honestly I am surpised android central posted it.
For part mobile nation does not get involved in the crapents cases.
I have seen then post positive news on lawsuits. Sooooooo...
Apple SUCKS rotten eggs..And so does all apple fanboys
apparently so does the English language
You're just jealous Apple has >$60 Billion in cash just sitting around while you've got a few thousand tops. I mean, you were living on the streets not even 5 years ago: boweryapplications.org/Images/.../Red%20Door%20Jun2007.pdf
Time to grow up little boy.
spoken as a true apple fanboy?
what does the cash of a massif company mean anything to a individual.
the stockholders,the workers,designers, distributors,stores and so on.make that whole sum.
there isnt a bank account with that number and the name APPLE on it.
its money in motion.
not even steve him self had that money.
Are we jealous of:NASA,(any defense corporation,aka military),LG,Samsung,Philips,Moto,BMW,Merceds,HP,Microsoft,Google, and so on and on.
are we?
NO!
so your point is invalid.
Exactly...lol Well said.
Any time Apple loses a battle an angel gets it's wings.
LOL
And the patent troll known as Apple loses yet another case.
It would be nice if Apple had to pay all of Motorola legal fees over this.
I'm no fan of Apple and have never had one of their phones. Just looking at it from an integrity stand and not that of a fanboy, which is different than previous posters.
If Apple does have a patent that covers multi-touch and it wasn't deemed as invalid, how isn't Motorola in violation? I'm not saying that Apple deserves anything for it, but would like to see how if they do have the patent and it was upheld then how is there not a violation?
even if apple does.
apple wasn't the first one with multi touch and gestures.
so any proof that the technology already existed,makes the patent invalid.
Besides that. the judge might have been smart enough to think that this technology is a common used thing and should not be patented by such a big money hungry company that only uses it to get money from others.
It's only fair that a company should get paid for its patented inventions. However, what Apple wants is to destroy everyone else so that Apple can remain alone in the market and maintain its exorbitant profit margin. That alone is a reason enough for me to smile every time their bullshit lawsuits fail.
And that profit is getting smaller. Appl's stocks have been falling for two weeks straight. I couldnt be happier.
Score, another bites the dust.
"You gain +1 defense against Patent Trolls"
Roll a d20 to see if your countersuit succeeds.
good. f*ck apple, plain and simple.
I know that these lawsuits are bad for us as either way the cost will go to the carriers and then from the carries to use anytime we want a new handset but gosh darn it Apple started this mess so let them lose! Then at least maybe Microsoft will stop trying to strong arm the little guys in royalties because they don't have so strong a legal footing. Down with Omnicorps! :)
Happy day for freedom!
WINNING!!!!
good one
To quote an Apple fan boy with the HTC verdict came down, "ah, justice."
I found it funny that people made a big deal out of that in Apple's defense, because didn't they win one patent and lose six or seven?
Yes