Microsoft Files Lawsuit Against Motorola Due to Essential Functionality in Android Handsets

Today, Microsoft made it known that they have filed a patent lawsuit against Motorola with the International Trade Commission. The Redmond-based company is alleging that Motorola has violated several Microsoft patents in its Android-based handsets. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. The lawsuit is aiming at several patents that aim right for the essential functionality of Motorola's smartphones.

Microsoft is saying that Motorola's implementation of synchronizing contacts, calendars, and email; scheduling emails; and notifying applications of changes in signal strength and battery power, all go against patents already issued by Microsoft. Microsoft's official statement, which is below, says that the company's action today "merely seeks to ensure respect for our intellectual property rights infringed by Android devices." Microsoft goes on to point out the recent lawsuits put up by Apple and Oracle, all relating to Android-based handsets, saying that they're not alone. Read the full press release for all the details, even if it is a short one.

Press Release

Microsoft Files Patent Infringement Action Against Motorola

REDMOND, Wash. – Oct. 1, 2010 – Microsoft Corp. today filed a patent infringement action against Motorola, Inc. and issued the following statement from Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of Intellectual Property and Licensing:

"Microsoft filed an action today in the International Trade Commission and in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington against Motorola, Inc. for infringement of nine Microsoft patents by Motorola's Android-based smartphones. The patents at issue relate to a range of functionality embodied in Motorola's Android smartphone devices that are essential to the smartphone user experience, including synchronizing email, calendars and contacts, scheduling meetings, and notifying applications of changes in signal strength and battery power.

We have a responsibility to our customers, partners, and shareholders to safeguard the billions of dollars we invest each year in bringing innovative software products and services to market. Motorola needs to stop its infringement of our patented inventions in its Android smartphones."