Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Google lobs antitrust complaint against Microsoft, Nokia in EU, claims they're playing patent footsie]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/google-lobs-antitrust-complaint-against-microsoft-and-nokia-in-eu/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/google-lobs-antitrust-complaint-against-microsoft-and-nokia-in-eu/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/google-lobs-antitrust-complaint-against-microsoft-and-nokia-in-eu/#comments European Union flags

The gloves just came off at Google: the company has just filed an antitrust complaint with the European Commission against Microsoft and Nokia. Its gripe accuses the two Windows Phone partners of playing dirty pool through handing 1,200 wireless-related patents to Mosaid, a Canadian firm which spends most of its time suing the industry over WiFi rather than making products. Microsoft and Nokia are allegedly hiking the prices of devices by "creating patent trolls" that bypass deals preventing them from suing directly, possibly steering a few companies towards picking Windows Phone instead of Android.

Google argues that it's launching the complaint as an early defensive measure. Neither Microsoft nor Nokia has responded, although there's a degree of irony to the action: the complaints assert that Nokia is jeopardizing standards-based patents, but Google's recent acquisition Motorola has itself come under EU scrutiny for possibly abusing standards with its lawsuits against Apple and Microsoft. Either way, it's clear Google is concerned that Microsoft's Android patent licensing campaign might lose its decorum in the near future.

Google lobs antitrust complaint against Microsoft, Nokia in EU, claims they're playing patent footsie originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidantitrustcellphonecellphonescomplainteceueuropean commissioneuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionfrandgooglegoogle androidGoogleAndroidlicensingmicrosoftmicrosoft windows phoneMicrosoftWindowsPhonemobilepostcrossmosaidnokiapatentpatent trollpatent trollspatentsPatentTrollPatentTrollsstandardsStandards Essentialstandards-essentialStandardsEssentialwindows phoneWindowsPhoneThu, 31 May 2012 18:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Google patents view augmentation method and glasses, sees what you cannot]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/google-patents-view-augmentation-method-and-glasses/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/google-patents-view-augmentation-method-and-glasses/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/google-patents-view-augmentation-method-and-glasses/#comments Google patents view augmentation method and glasses, sees what you cannot

Google continues to keep our friends down at the US Patents and Trademark Office busy with its latest filing, involving augmented reality and a pair of relatively staid (at least by these sketches) pair of glasses. The patent outlines a system where a view-finder could identify what we're gawking at, adding in extra factual details and also outlining new points of interest -- including those that aren't necessarily within the view of our own eyes. The glasses would then be able to notify us with a medley of visual indicators and cues (including the slightly awkward notion of light-up frames), guiding our gaze to something we'd hopefully want to take a look at.

There's more to Google's latest idea than simple tourist-centric finger-pointing though, also looking to augment how we read. The device would detect when someone is reading from a digital display and even feel out the rest of the information currently out of view. It would then direct readers to points of interest; possibly pictures, possibly those important factual nuggets -- the patent still plays loose with the specifics. But if you're into such vague and fanciful product description, you can take a look at the full filing at the source below.

Google patents view augmentation method and glasses, sees what you cannot originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augmented realityaugmented viewAugmentedRealityAugmentedViewglassglassesgooglepatentproject glassProjectGlassUnited States Patent and Trademark OfficeUnitedStatesPatentAndTrademarkOfficeusptoTue, 29 May 2012 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft beats Motorola in German SMS patent suit, litigation world cup continues]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/24/microsoft-motorola-sms-patent-germany/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/24/microsoft-motorola-sms-patent-germany/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/24/microsoft-motorola-sms-patent-germany/#comments all day sign

Munich's regional court has ruled that Motorola is infringing one of Microsoft's patents relating to displaying multiple SMS messages. It's one of the sub-cases that's separate to the larger FRAND matters that are raging along in the background, but still has enormous ramifications. Redmond's deputy general counsel, David Howard said that he hoped Motorola would (join over 70 percent of all Android OEMs) license Microsoft's patent portfolio. If Google's latest plaything doesn't start writing cheques, then it's likely to have its handsets banned from Germany, at least in the short term.

Continue reading Microsoft beats Motorola in German SMS patent suit, litigation world cup continues

Microsoft beats Motorola in German SMS patent suit, litigation world cup continues originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2012 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Android LitigationAndroidLitigationGermanyGoogleLicensingLicensing agreementLicensingAgreementLitigationMicrosoftMotorolaMunich regional courtMunichRegionalCourtPatentPatent LitigationPatentLitigationPatentsThu, 24 May 2012 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Jury issues verdict in Android suit, finds that Google doesn't infringe Oracle patents]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/jury-google-oracle/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/jury-google-oracle/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/jury-google-oracle/#comments Image

It appears that the jury has come to a conclusion in the Oracle v. Google trial, determining that Android does not infringe Oracle patents. Judge William Alsup of the US District Court for Northern California exonerated the search giant following a trial that lasted three weeks, ruling that Google did not infringe on six claims in US Patent RE38,104, along two claims in US Patent 6,061,520. Jurors were dismissed following today's ruling, with the trial's damages phase reportedly set to begin on Tuesday. According to The Verge, the jury did determine that Google was responsible for two counts of minor copyright infringement, relating to the order of Java APIs and several lines of rangeCheck code, which could be matched with a maximum penalty of $150,000 for each count. Regardless, it appears that the lawsuit, which dates back to 2010, when Oracle filed against Google for copyright and patent infringement related to Sun's Java code, could finally be coming to a close.

Jury issues verdict in Android suit, finds that Google doesn't infringe Oracle patents originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google will find four more granted patents for Project Glass sitting on its over-sized doorstep this morning. The company can now claim rights over the design of the right half of the device, where the camera hangs over the eye and where the innards are housed within the band along the side. It's also patented the nose-pad sensor that knows when it's being worn, plus the ability to represent ambient sounds on the screen with range and direction info. Finally, it's also got rights on using each eyepiece as a separate display, with the example shown above demonstrating a map in one eye and navigation instructions in the other. The more we sift through the paperwork, the more we're reminded of the Dominion Warship headsets from Deep Space Nine -- but that could be just because we've been locked indoors for too long.

Google glasses gets raft of new patents, sniffs lawsuits coming from miles away originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ARAugmented RealityAugmentedRealityFashionGlassesGoogleGoogle GlassesGoogleGlassesPatentPatent GrantPatentGrantPatentsProject GlassProjectGlassUSPTOUSTPOTue, 22 May 2012 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Google officially closes deal for Motorola Mobility]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/google-officially-closes-deal-for-motorola-mobility/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/google-officially-closes-deal-for-motorola-mobility/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/google-officially-closes-deal-for-motorola-mobility/#comments Google officially closes deal for Motorola Mobility

Months in the making -- the deal is finally done. Motorola Mobility is officially part of Google. After receiving blessings from Europe, the US and China, the Internet giant has put the finishing touches on its purchase of Moto's mobile division. Though the corporate marriage faced plenty of obstacles, Big G was able to put the manufacturer on its ledger for the price of $40 per share, or about $12.5 billion. As it stands, Motorola Mobility will continue to operate as a separate business entity and as a licensee of Android, but Mountain View is still claiming the purchase will allow it to "supercharge" its mobile ecosystem. The future of the new subsidiary's employees is a different matter, however. Rumors have been swirling for the last week or so that there could be significant layoffs at Moto following the merger, which would further enforce the perception that Google is more interested in the company's patents than in entering the hardware business. Of course, whether or not we'll see layoffs or perhaps a Moto-branded Nexus is still a mystery. For a bit more on Google's victory lap, check out the PR after the break.

Update: Google has also settled on a replacement for Sanjay Jha as CEO of Motorola Mobility, Dennis Woodside. Woodside is a longtime Googler who got his start in sales, building out business in Africa, Eastern Europe and Russia, before becoming President of the Americas sales operation.

Continue reading Google officially closes deal for Motorola Mobility

Google officially closes deal for Motorola Mobility originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgooglelayoffsmergermobilepostcrossmotorolamotorola mobilityMotorola Mobility Holdings IncMotorolaMobilityMotorolaMobilityHoldingsIncpatentpatentspurchaseTue, 22 May 2012 09:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung: 'Lawyers didn't design the Galaxy S III']]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/samsung-lawyers-galaxy-s-iii-design/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/samsung-lawyers-galaxy-s-iii-design/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/samsung-lawyers-galaxy-s-iii-design/#comments Image

Samsung design VP Chang Dong-hoon has refuted accusations that the Galaxy S III was designed "by lawyers." Responding to the reports that stated the new handset was tweaked to circumvent deliberate trade dress claims made by Cupertino in its lawsuit, he said that the redesign is part of the company's five-year plan rather than a sudden change. He went on to say that the flagship went through hundreds of iterations before the team alighted upon the model that will shortly make its way into sweaty palms all over the world.

Samsung: 'Lawyers didn't design the Galaxy S III' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidAppleChang Dong-hoonChangDong-hoonCopyrightGalaxy S IIIGalaxySIiiGoogleLawsuitLawyersLitigationmobilepostminiPatentSamsungSamsung Galaxy S IIISamsungGalaxySIiiTrade DressTradeDressTue, 22 May 2012 07:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Google patent application could give Project Glass one true ring controller to rule them all]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/18/google-patent-application-could-give-project-glass-a-ring-controller/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/18/google-patent-application-could-give-project-glass-a-ring-controller/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/18/google-patent-application-could-give-project-glass-a-ring-controller/#comments Image

Let's face it: right now, the head nods and other rudimentary controls of Google's Project Glass are mostly useful for looking good, sharing photos and not much else. A US patent application submitted last September and just now published, however, raises the possibility of more sophisticated control coming from your hands. A ring, a bracelet or a even a fake fingernail with an infrared-reflective layer would serve as a gesture control marker for a receiver on heads-up display glasses. Having this extra control would give the glasses-mounted computing room to grow by learning gestures, and it could even depend on multiple ornaments for more sophisticated commands -- at least, if you don't mind looking like a very nerdy Liberace. We can imagine the headaches a hand-based method might cause for very enthusiastic talkers, among other possible hiccups, so don't be surprised if Project Glass goes without any kind of ring input. That said, we suspect that Sauron would approve.

Google patent application could give Project Glass one true ring controller to rule them all originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>braceletbraceletscontrollerfinger nailfinger nailsFingerNailfingernailsgesturegesturesgooglegoogle project glassGoogleProjectGlasshand gesturehand gesturesHandGestureHandGesturesheads up displayheads-up displayHeads-upDisplayHeadsUpDisplayHUDinfraredirliberaceLord of the RingsLordOfTheRingspatentpatent applicationpatent filingPatentApplicationPatentFilingpatentsProject GlassProjectGlassringring controllerRingControllersauronUSPTOwearable computerwearable computingWearableComputerWearableComputingwearablesFri, 18 May 2012 12:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Google patent application could mean melody-matching for YouTube]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/17/google-melody-identification-patent-application/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/17/google-melody-identification-patent-application/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/17/google-melody-identification-patent-application/#comments Image

YouTube has become a treasure trove for rare live editions, outtakes and covers of popular songs -- the latter making stars out of acts like Pomplamoose. However, Google and the recording industry don't feel the same way, but the site's famous content filtering system can only handle exact matches of recorded songs -- so that 14-year-old moppet's cover version of Born this Way remains unfiltered. That could change should a patent application made available today result in a workable product. It describes a Melody Identification system that'll pluck out a "melody fingerprint" from any uploaded file and then determine the appropriate "rights management" to apply -- which sounds ominous. The patents haven't been granted and nowhere in the text of either document does it reveal how the company plans to deal with songs that sound very, very similar, but we can't imagine what'll be left if the worst comes to pass: lots of mute cat videos, probably.

Update: Josh Rice in comments pointed out that Pomplamoose actually buys the rights to its covers. That's the nicest form of prior art there is.

Google patent application could mean melody-matching for YouTube originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Content FilteringContentFilteringDRMGoogleMusicMusic PublishersMusicPublishersOnline AudioOnline MusicOnlineAudioOnlineMusicPatentPatent ApplicationPatentApplicationYouTubeYouTube Content FilterYouTube FilterYoutubeContentFilterYoutubeFilterThu, 17 May 2012 13:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Those suave Google glasses are now patent-protected]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/google-glasses-design-patent/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/google-glasses-design-patent/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/google-glasses-design-patent/#comments Those suave Google glasses are now patent-protected

Google has successfully patented the "ornamental design" of its augmented reality eyewear. To you, me and Aunty Dee they might look almost like regular Ray-Bans, but there's a lot of secret technology concealed within those sleek lines and Google evidently wants to prevent others from copying their appearance. After all, if people started faking Project Glass, it'd be impossible to tell if we're being properly scanned or merely checked out.

Those suave Google glasses are now patent-protected originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 06:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearancearaugmented realityAugmentedRealitydesign patentDesignPatentfashionglassesgooglegoogle glassesGoogleGlassespatentproject glassProjectGlassstyleusptoTue, 15 May 2012 06:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Xamarin's XobotOS opens prospect of Android port to C#, can of worms]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/04/Xamarin-XobotOS-ports-Android-to-C-Sharp/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/04/Xamarin-XobotOS-ports-Android-to-C-Sharp/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/04/Xamarin-XobotOS-ports-Android-to-C-Sharp/#comments Xamarin-XobotOS-ports-Android-to-C-Sharp

Would it be ironic if Android developers did an end-run around Microsoft patents by using Microsoft's own C#? Or if Google kiboshed its Oracle brouhaha with the aid of none other than Redmond? We're asking because Xamarin, the wacky open source implementer of .NET, has ported Android to Microsoft's C# with its XobotOS project. Although just an experiment and unlikely to solve Google's issues, the team showed that running the robot on C# instead of Java gave fewer coding limitations, better battery life and direct graphics access. Additionally, Xamarin reports "massive" speed gains on its HTC Flyer and Acer Iconia when running the side-project port -- no surprise given C#'s machine heritage. Sure, it's pure speculation that Mountain View and its developers would ever change their Java MO, but a little patent relief and faster Android devices in one kill shot? That's a sweet idea.

Xamarin's XobotOS opens prospect of Android port to C#, can of worms originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 May 2012 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android Beam has been with us since October of last year and now we might just be getting a look into how it came to be. A patent application made public today describes "sharing application states" across messaging apps, ongoing phone call status, as well as playback position for video and audio on multiple devices via NFC and "other" wireless communication. If you think the potential uses for the tech discussed in this filing from September of 2011 sound strikingly familiar, you're not the only one. Could this really be a part of Android Beam, or does Google have something else up its sleeve?

Google patent app describes NFC sharing between devices, gives us Beam deja-vu originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 16:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Let's imagine you're both fortunate enough to have nine friends and you want to take them all out to dinner... tonight! So you send them all an invitation message, but the restaurant you've picked offends half of them for some reason. You suggest something else, and the other half object, making it a drawn-out and painful process. Worse still is that all of the SMS cross-talk is going to eat into your plan unless everyone's signed up to ChatOn. Instead, wouldn't it be great if you could just text four options in a single text message and let good old-fashioned democracy work its plan-saving course? Well thanks to the patent that Google was granted today, perhaps in the future you'll be able to do exactly that. Just remember that if you always want to get your own way, make sure both your voting group and choices are heavily biased in your favor, you wouldn't want to get dragged out to the Cabbage Soup Shack by accident, would you?

Google voting patent democratizes restaurant choices, Top Model eliminations originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cost-effective votingCost-effectiveVotingGoogleGranted PatentGrantedPatentLantian ZhengLantianZhengPatentPatent GrantPatentGrantSMSSMS VotingSmsVotingVotingVoting PatentVotingPatentTue, 03 Apr 2012 11:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Oracle and Google get a trial date, April 16th is the start of Android armageddon]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/02/oracle-and-google-get-a-trial-date-april-16th-is-the-start-of-a/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/02/oracle-and-google-get-a-trial-date-april-16th-is-the-start-of-a/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/02/oracle-and-google-get-a-trial-date-april-16th-is-the-start-of-a/#comments Oracle and Google get a trial date, April 16th is the start of Android armageddonAs regular readers of this site are well aware, Google and Oracle have had an ongoing legal spat for nearly two years now. In the time since the lawsuit's filing, the legal claims have been narrowed, damages claims have been adjusted, reduced, and reduced again. All that activity, plus continuous settlement talks caused the trial to be delayed several times. But now it appears that the two sides have officially reached an impasse, and so the tech giants will go to trial on April 16th to determine if Android illicitly pulled code from Java. Will Oracle get paid? Will Google and its green bots be gloating in the end? Pop some popcorn and settle in, folks, we'll start getting some answers in a couple weeks.

Oracle and Google get a trial date, April 16th is the start of Android armageddon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcopyrightcopyright infringementCopyrightInfringementgoogleipjavalawsuitlegaloraclepatentpatent infringementPatentInfringementMon, 02 Apr 2012 17:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Google patent app details method for generating a 'ghost profile,' a world of anonymous G+ users]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/google-patent-application-google-plus-ghost-profile/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/google-patent-application-google-plus-ghost-profile/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/google-patent-application-google-plus-ghost-profile/#comments ImageGoogle hasn't exactly had the easiest time keeping the privacy hawks off of its back, but if a recently published patent application is any indication of its future intentions, well... let's just say we could see a lot more people hiding behind an online veil. Made public today, Google's most recent patent app details a "system and method for generating a ghost profile for a social network," which would -- in theory, at least -- allow a user to use certain features in a social network without converting to a social network profile. For those curious, the ghostly profiles would be unsearchable, and comments that originated from said profiles would be shown as being from "partial names." The real question: are G+ ghosts allowed in the Facebook compound?

Google patent app details method for generating a 'ghost profile,' a world of anonymous G+ users originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ghost profileGhostProfilegooglegoogle plusGooglePluspatentpatent applicationPatentApplicationprivacysocial networkSocialNetworkThu, 29 Mar 2012 20:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Google patent outlines ads targeted to 'environmental conditions']]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/google-patent-outlines-ads-targeted-to-environmental-conditions/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/google-patent-outlines-ads-targeted-to-environmental-conditions/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/google-patent-outlines-ads-targeted-to-environmental-conditions/#comments Image
The ad game is all about targeting: demographics, locations, keywords -- and really, few companies are more equipped to target users than Google. In case you were worried that the search giant doesn't have enough information to harvest, a newly surfaced patent outlines the company's interesting utilizing environmental conditions, including things like temperature, humidity, sound, light or air composition, in order to serve up advertisements to devices. Of course, as with other interesting ad patents from the company, the fact that Google applied doesn't necessary mean we'll be seeing this specific technology rolling out any time soon -- or ever, for that matter.

Google patent outlines ads targeted to 'environmental conditions' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisingenvironmentgooglegoogle adsGoogleAdsmobilemobile adsMobileAdsmobilepostcrosspatentpatent applicationPatentApplicationtemperatureusptoWed, 21 Mar 2012 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Oracle's final damage claim against Google well under $100 million]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/oracles-final-damage-claim-against-google-well-under-100-milli/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/oracles-final-damage-claim-against-google-well-under-100-milli/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/oracles-final-damage-claim-against-google-well-under-100-milli/#comments Oracle vs. GoogleMy, my, my, how the mighty have fallen. In this case, the mighty is the roughly $6 billion Oracle initially sought in its suit against Google. By September of last year that number had dropped to a comparatively paltry $2 billion, which was still too high for presiding Judge William Alsup. Now that has plummeted precipitously, with Oracle's new starting figure sitting at $32.3 million. Of course, the final total for the damages will likely be higher than that, but we'd be mighty shocked if the ultimate settlement was even close to $100 million. Google's own estimates put the valuation at between $37.5 million and $46.6 million -- a far cry from the $100 million starting point Alsup had suggested in July of last year. Now all that's left is for this sucker to actually go to trial. Hit up the source to read the full filing.

Oracle's final damage claim against Google well under $100 million originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcopyrightgoogleinfringementintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyipjavalawsuitlegallitigationoraclepatentpatentsTue, 20 Mar 2012 16:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Google patent could replace the ringback tone with adverts (updated)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/13/google-ringtone-advertising-patent/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/13/google-ringtone-advertising-patent/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/13/google-ringtone-advertising-patent/#comments
It's a patent, so we can't promise it'll appear in the next version of Android, but since Google's filed it, you never know. Mountain View's best and brightest (Ronald Ho and Jennifer W. Lin) have patented adverts that replace the cellphone ringtone. Once it's identified the caller and the location, rather than playing your specially selected "Mom" song, it'll play a relevant advert -- say, for a local florist or the nearest drug store. Advertisers are billed depending on how much of the track gets played: so they'll be paying top-dollar when you take a few seconds to pause before answering to your boss.

Update: Patents, eh? As many of you pointed out, it's less about your ringtone and more about the ringback: so when you're waiting for the other person to pick up, you'll be treated to advertising.

Google patent could replace the ringback tone with adverts (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Advert RingtoneAdvertisingAdvertRingtoneGoogleGoogle PatentGooglePatentJenifer W. LinJeniferW.LinMobile AdvertisingMobileAdvertisingmobilepostcrossMountain ViewMountainViewPatentRonald HoRonaldHoTue, 13 Mar 2012 12:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Google applies for 'snap a landmark, find your location' patent]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/google-photo-location-patent/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/google-photo-location-patent/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/google-photo-location-patent/#comments
We're taking a trip into the fantastical world of patents, so the usual disclaimer applies. There's no guarantee we'll ever see this in a product, or that a patent will even be granted. Got that? Good. You're lost in the city and GPS isn't exactly being helpful, so whaddya' do? Well, if this application from Google get's the go-ahead, the solution might be as simple as snapping a pic of the nearest landmark. Uploading the image to Mountain View's servers, it'll compare your image to its geographical database of images and work out the closest match before sending you back your location. If it ever emerges from the two dimensional world of line drawings, it might be a handy navigation tool, or as an even more elegant way of getting around with those rumored Google Glasses.

Google applies for 'snap a landmark, find your location' patent originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GoogleGoogle GlassesGoogle GogglesGoogle Navigation PatentGoogle Photo NavigationGoogle Picture NavigationGoogleGlassesGoogleGogglesGoogleNavigationPatentGooglePhotoNavigationGooglePictureNavigationGPSLocationPatentPhoto NavigationPhotoNavigationWed, 07 Mar 2012 16:11:00 EST<![CDATA[ITC to review its decision on Microsoft, Motorola patent case]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/02/itc-to-review-its-decision-on-microsoft-motorola-patent-case/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/02/itc-to-review-its-decision-on-microsoft-motorola-patent-case/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/02/itc-to-review-its-decision-on-microsoft-motorola-patent-case/#comments Remember back in December when the International Trade Commission ruled on a Microsoft complaint from 2010 that Motorola's Android products infringed on seven of its patents, siding with Microsoft initially on one of them? Since that's so hard to forget, it probably comes as no surprise to hear that the ITC announced today it would review the decision in part, as Motorola noted in its press release at the time. Don't expect a final ruling for another month or so (we'd keep that NFL Draft window clear if we were you), but if you're looking for details, FOSSPatents has the notes on which segments are under review. Don't worry if you miss a step though, we'll be sure to let you know once it's all over (hint: it will never, ever be over.)

ITC to review its decision on Microsoft, Motorola patent case originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcomplaintgoogleintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyinternational trade commissionInternationalTradeCommissionitclawsuitmicrosoftmobilepostcrossmotorolapatentpatent infringementPatentInfringementreviewusptoFri, 02 Mar 2012 20:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft files EU antitrust complaint against Motorola Mobility, claims unfair licensing practices]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/microsoft-files-eu-antitrust-complaint-against-motorola-mobility/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/microsoft-files-eu-antitrust-complaint-against-motorola-mobility/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/microsoft-files-eu-antitrust-complaint-against-motorola-mobility/#commentsEarly last week, the European Commission gave Google its blessing regarding the purchase of Motorola Mobility. But the honeymoon has been anything but relaxing for the search giant and its latest power-play acquisition, after Apple filed an antitrust complaint, claiming a breach of the company's FRAND obligations. Now Microsoft is waiving the antitrust flag as well, claiming that the company is reportedly abusing its standard-essential patents, impeding fair access to patents that are fundamental to regular device function -- this time dealing with video streaming and wireless connectivity. Microsoft Deputy General Counsel Dave Heiner has posted an appeal to the company's TechNet blog, outlining the issue and explaining that "Motorola is attempting to block sales of Windows PCs, our Xbox game console and other products," further claiming that "Motorola is on a path to use standard essential patents to kill video on the Web, and Google as its new owner doesn't seem to be willing to change course." The key issue at hand is patent pricing -- Microsoft claims that Motorola is demanding an impossibly high royalty of $22.50 for a $1,000 laptop, and that only covers fees for H.264 licensing. It's no secret that Motorola's patent portfolio was a key component of Google's acquisition, and so far it doesn't appear that the company is making any suggestion that Motorola ease up on licensing fees. As always, we'll be keeping an eye on the process, but hit up the source link below for the full scoop from MS.

Microsoft files EU antitrust complaint against Motorola Mobility, claims unfair licensing practices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecourtcupertinoetsieuropeEuropean CommissionEuropeanCommissionFRANDgoogleinfringementlawlawsuitlegalmicrosoftmotorolamotorola mobilityMotorolaMobilitypatentpolicystandardstransparencyumtsWed, 22 Feb 2012 09:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Google pads IP portfolio, purchases Cuil's pending search-related patent applications]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/google-buys-cuils-search-related-patent-applications/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/google-buys-cuils-search-related-patent-applications/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/google-buys-cuils-search-related-patent-applications/#comments Google pads IP portfolio, purchases Cuil's pending search-related patent applicationsGoogle's been buying a fair amount of IP over the past several months from IBM, and now the Big G has acquired seven new patent applications from the now-defunct search engine, Cuil. Back in 2008, Cuil aimed to take Google's crown as the king of search, but was shut down 2010 because it often failed to provide relevant results (despite its massive site index). Good thing the patent apps Google's gotten are for different methods of displaying search results, as opposed to, you know, finding them. The full list of assignments can be found at the source below, so head on down to get your fill of patent claims and black and white drawings.

Google pads IP portfolio, purchases Cuil's pending search-related patent applications originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cuilgoogleintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyipminipostpatentpatent applicationpatent applicationsPatentApplicationPatentApplicationspatentssearchsearch enginesearch enginesSearchEngineSearchEnginesTue, 21 Feb 2012 02:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Oracle drops patent from Google lawsuit, Google moves to strike Oracle's third damages report]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/20/oracle-drops-patent-from-google-lawsuit-google-moves-to-strike/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/20/oracle-drops-patent-from-google-lawsuit-google-moves-to-strike/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/20/oracle-drops-patent-from-google-lawsuit-google-moves-to-strike/#comments Oracle drops patent from Google lawsuit, Google moves to strike Oracle's third damages reportAfter much sound and fury in its legal proceedings for IP infringement against Google, Oracle's claims continue to be whittled away. Judge Alsup has been on Oracle's case to downgrade its damages claims for months now, and on Friday, he got yet another reason to do so. Ellison's crew has finally withdrawn the last remaining claim of patent number 6,192,476 from the litigation -- the very same patent that had 17 of 21 claims wiped out earlier during a USPTO re-examination proceeding. Additionally, Google has filed a motion to strike Oracle's third damages report for, once again, artificially inflating the monetary damages in its expert report. No one can say for sure how the judge will rule on that motion, but given that Oracle's got less IP than ever with which to allege infringement, it seems likely that the Court will send it back to the damages drawing board.

Oracle drops patent from Google lawsuit, Google moves to strike Oracle's third damages report originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcopyrightgoogleinfringementintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyipjavalawsuitlegallitigationoraclepatentpatentsMon, 20 Feb 2012 22:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple asks EU regulators to step in on Motorola patent dispute]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/18/apple-asks-eu-regulators-to-step-in-on-motorola-patent-dispute/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/18/apple-asks-eu-regulators-to-step-in-on-motorola-patent-dispute/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/18/apple-asks-eu-regulators-to-step-in-on-motorola-patent-dispute/#comments Apple already asked the European Telecommunications Standards Institute for more transparency on FRAND licensing, and now it's seeking a full-blown intervention. Motorola Mobility claims it received a letter on Friday from the European Commission advising there has been a complaint against it from Apple. The letter also stated that Cupertino wants the Commission to enforce the firm's standards-essential patents that breach agreed FRAND commitments. This latest development comes just one day after a German court awarded Apple an injunction against Motorola's implementation of slide-to-unlock on smartphones, as well as an ongoing saga of similar disputes with the firm. It's also just days after the European Commission approved Google's acquisition of the handset maker, based on beliefs that it "does not itself raise competition issues."

Apple asks EU regulators to step in on Motorola patent dispute originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecourtcupertinoetsieuropeEuropean CommissionEuropeanCommissionFRANDgoogleinfringementlawlawsuitlegalmotorolamotorola mobilityMotorolaMobilitypatentpolicystandardstransparencyumtsSat, 18 Feb 2012 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Google files patent app for unlocking devices, says we don't need no stinking slide-to-unlock]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/google-files-patent-app-for-unlocking-devices-says-we-dont-nee/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/google-files-patent-app-for-unlocking-devices-says-we-dont-nee/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/google-files-patent-app-for-unlocking-devices-says-we-dont-nee/#comments Apple's legal assault on Android has ratcheted up another notch with Cupertino's newest complaint against Samsung, in which it alleges a bevy of devices infringe upon its slide-to-unlock patent. Help may be on the way, however, as a recent Google patent application shows Mountain View aims to acquire some device-unlocking IP of its own. Titled "Input to Locked Computing Device," the application claims a method for a device unlocking process using one or more user inputs while simultaneously executing a command -- like calling a specific contact or opening an application. Those user inputs can take the form of passcodes, touch and drag, or audio commands. While the application's drawings depict such a system on a phone, it claims an unlocking system for desktops and laptops as well, so it could easily find its way onto a Chromebook or two. Of course, it's just an application, so there's no telling when, or if, it'll actually become an addition to Android's courtroom arsenal, but feel free to check out the app itself by surfing on over to the source link below.

Google files patent app for unlocking devices, says we don't need no stinking slide-to-unlock originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgooglelegalpatentpatent applicationPatentApplicationpatentsslide to unlockSlideToUnlockunlockusptoThu, 16 Feb 2012 20:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Pantech next to sign Android patent deal with Microsoft]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/pantech-android-patent-microsoft/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/pantech-android-patent-microsoft/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/pantech-android-patent-microsoft/#comments Microsoft may have already signed patent licensing agreements with 70 percent of the US Android manufacturers, including some of the biggest names in the market, but that doesn't mean Redmond's about ready to hit the brakes anytime soon. Next up on the block is Pantech, according to a company spokesperson talking with Yonhap News. No specific details have been decided yet, so we'll have to wait for the official word and see what happens.

Pantech next to sign Android patent deal with Microsoft originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgooglelicensingmicrosoftmobilepostcrosspantechpatentpatent licensingPatentLicensingTue, 17 Jan 2012 10:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Judge attacks Oracle's 'stratospheric' damages claim against Google, postpones trial]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/judge-attacks-oracles-stratospheric-damages-claim-against-goo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/judge-attacks-oracles-stratospheric-damages-claim-against-goo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/judge-attacks-oracles-stratospheric-damages-claim-against-goo/#comments Everything we've heard about Judge William Alsup tells us he's a guy you don't mess with -- and yet Oracle seems bent on doing precisely that. When the company initially demanded $6.1 billion from Google in recompense for alleged violations of its Java patents, Alsup laughed that figure out of court and suggested $100 million might be closer to the mark. Ellison's crew then came back with a revised claim of $2 billion, which we just knew would lead to another smackdown. Well, here it is: the judge has now cancelled the latest trial date (which had been scheduled for March) and refused to set a new one until the claimant stops using "improper methodologies" for assessing damages, which are "obviously calculated to reach stratospheric numbers." Perhaps Oracle should try something more tropospheric?

Judge attacks Oracle's 'stratospheric' damages claim against Google, postpones trial originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcomplaintdamage complaintDamageComplaintgooglejavajudge william alsupJudgeWilliamAlsuplawsuitoracleoracle vs. googleOracleVs.Googlepatentpatent disputepatent suitPatentDisputepatentsPatentSuitWilliawilliam alsupWilliamAlsupTue, 17 Jan 2012 02:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Google buoys its patent portfolio with 217 more filings acquired from IBM]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/03/google-buoys-its-patent-portfolio-with-217-more-filings-acquired/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/03/google-buoys-its-patent-portfolio-with-217-more-filings-acquired/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/03/google-buoys-its-patent-portfolio-with-217-more-filings-acquired/#comments It's not quite as big as some previous patent transactions between the two companies, but it looks like Google did a fair bit more shopping from IBM's vast portfolio at the tail-end of 2011. As noted by the SEO by the Sea blog, IBM transferred 188 granted patents and 28 published patent applications to Google during the last week of the year, including a number of patents related to phones and web browsers. Unfortunately, other key details like an acquisition price remain a mystery, but you can peruse some of the patents themselves at the source link below.

Google buoys its patent portfolio with 217 more filings acquired from IBM originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitiongoogleibmminipostpatentpatent applicationpatent applicationspatent portfolioPatentApplicationPatentApplicationsPatentPortfoliopatentsTue, 03 Jan 2012 15:57:00 EST<![CDATA[British Telecom is the latest to sue Google over Android, other services]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/18/british-telecom-is-the-latest-to-sue-google-over-android-other/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/18/british-telecom-is-the-latest-to-sue-google-over-android-other/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/18/british-telecom-is-the-latest-to-sue-google-over-android-other/#comments Another day, another patent lawsuit against Google. FOSS Patents reports British Telecom filed suit Thursday in Delaware over six of its patents it says Google is infringing upon with Android and other services like Maps and Music. Feel free to avail yourself of the text of the suit embedded after the break, which is heavy on terms like "telecommunications apparatus and method" and "navigation information system". We're not hearing any official response from Mountain View yet, but until we do you can probably pencil in platitudes about innovation and bogus patents.

Update: We have heard from Google, saying (predictably) ""We believe these claims are without merit, and we will defend vigorously against them."

Continue reading British Telecom is the latest to sue Google over Android, other services

British Telecom is the latest to sue Google over Android, other services originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbritish telecomBritishTelecombtdelawaregoogleiplawsuitmobilepostcrosspatentus district courtUsDistrictCourtSun, 18 Dec 2011 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[German court grants injunction against Apple for infringement of Motorola patents (update: Apple responds)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/04/german-court-grants-injunction-against-apple-for-infringement-of/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/04/german-court-grants-injunction-against-apple-for-infringement-of/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/04/german-court-grants-injunction-against-apple-for-infringement-of/#comments Motorola just confirmed that earlier today, the Mannheim District Court in Germany granted a default judgment in its case against Apple that bars the sale of Apple products in Deutschland. In addition to the confirmation, Motorola also issued the following, rather unrevealing statement:

"As media and mobility continue to converge, Motorola Mobility's patented technologies are increasingly important for innovation within the wireless and communications industries, for which Motorola Mobility has developed an industry leading intellectual property portfolio. We will continue to assert ourselves in the protection of these assets, while also ensuring that our technologies are widely available to end-users. We hope that we are able to resolve this matter, so we can focus on creating great innovations that benefit the industry."

The ruling comes as a role reversal of sorts for Apple, which most recently received a pair of injunctions in Germany, banning the sale of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in that country, along with the rather embarrassing removal of the Tab 7.7 from the show floor at IFA. According to FOSS Patents this is a default judgment, meaning Apple did not respond to Moto's filing and as a result got hit with the injunction, which could result in its products being pulled or the company being required to pay damages. And so the saga continues... Dust off the pocket translator and hit up the source link for the full ruling in German.

Update: We just got the following statement from Apple regarding the ruling:

"This is a procedural issue, and has nothing to do with the merits of the case. It does not affect our ability to sell products or do business in Germany at this time."

So, it appears our iDevice-loving German friends have nothing to worry about, at least for now.

Update (11/7): FOSSPatents has posted a second update accessing the procedural rules, how they (might) affect this case and whether or not Apple has anything to worry about. If you can't get enough FRAND and Zivilprozessordnung news you can read through it -- we'll just hang on until the courts make another decision or someone's products actually get pulled from shelves.

German court grants injunction against Apple for infringement of Motorola patents (update: Apple responds) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebanbanksbreaking newscourtcourtsgermangermanygooglehtcinfringeinfringementinfringinginjunctionlawlawsuitlegalMannheimMannheim District CourtMannheimDistrictCourtmotorolamotorola mobilityMotorolaMobilitypatentpatent infringementPatentInfringementrulingrulingssalessamsungsuitFri, 04 Nov 2011 19:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft signs Compal deal, now takes money from half of all Android ODMs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/microsoft-signs-compal-deal-now-takes-money-from-half-of-all-an/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/microsoft-signs-compal-deal-now-takes-money-from-half-of-all-an/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/microsoft-signs-compal-deal-now-takes-money-from-half-of-all-an/#comments Despite Steve Ballmer's apparent disdain for the Googly OS, he must love it really. He's now making money from ten separate Android and Chrome licensing deals, having just inked yet another agreement with Compal -- a large Taiwanese original design manufacturer (ODM) that builds tablets and smartphones for brands like Lenovo. From this point on, a "reasonable and fair" chunk of Compal's $28 billion annual income will be diverted to the coffers at Redmond. Overall, this means that Microsoft's tentacles have spread across 55 percent of the Android ODM industry and -- more importantly -- are poked firmly into two different mobile OS pies. As cut-throat as this approach might seem, however, it's surely better than freezing the market with cold and ceaseless waves of litigation. PR after the break.

[Thanks, Majed]

Continue reading Microsoft signs Compal deal, now takes money from half of all Android ODMs

Microsoft signs Compal deal, now takes money from half of all Android ODMs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 07:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidCompalGooglelicensinglitigationMicrosoftmobilepostcrossODMoriginal design manufacturerOriginalDesignManufacturerpatentpatent licensingPatentLicensingSteve BallmerSteveBallmerMon, 24 Oct 2011 07:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft and Quanta ink patent licensing agreement, Android continues to print money for its rival]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/13/microsoft-and-quanta-ink-patent-licensing-agreement-android-con/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/13/microsoft-and-quanta-ink-patent-licensing-agreement-android-con/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/13/microsoft-and-quanta-ink-patent-licensing-agreement-android-con/#comments Microsoft's crossed yet another name off its patent licensing hit list, and this time the big red target lands squarely on Quanta. Under the undisclosed terms of the agreement, Android and Chrome-based devices manufactured by the Taiwanese OEM will be protected by Redmond's vast patent portfolio. Of course, this means MS'll receive royalties for granting access to its treasure trove of related IPs -- of which it has no dearth of at the moment. In other news, Google continues to hope it's all just a case of "opposite day." Official PR in all its vagueness after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft and Quanta ink patent licensing agreement, Android continues to print money for its rival

Microsoft and Quanta ink patent licensing agreement, Android continues to print money for its rival originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid osAndroidOsChromegoogleinfringementlicenselicenseslicensinglicensing agreementlicensing dealLicensingAgreementLicensingDealMicrosoftmobilepostcrosspatentpatent agreementpatent infringementPatentAgreementPatentInfringementQuantaThu, 13 Oct 2011 14:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Oracle amends complaint against Google to $2 billion, risks the wrath of Judge Alsup]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/oracle-amends-complaint-against-google-to-2-billion-risks-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/oracle-amends-complaint-against-google-to-2-billion-risks-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/oracle-amends-complaint-against-google-to-2-billion-risks-the/#comments Oracle Vs. Google Oracle's damage claim against Google in it's battle over Java patents keeps inching downwards, but not nearly quick enough to please either Big G or Judge William Alsup. The Redwood Shores-based company initially sought $6.1 billion, but eventually lowered that to $2.6 billion. The judge responded by suggesting a far more modest $100 million starting point for a settlement and sent Oracle back to the drawing board. Well, the company amended its complaint, and is now asking for only $2 billion. Judge Alsup has grown noticeably more impatient with both sides as the suit has progressed towards trial, which is still scheduled for October. We can't wait to see what sort of outburst Oracle's latest move inspires in his honor -- we're expecting a flying gavel or two.

Oracle amends complaint against Google to $2 billion, risks the wrath of Judge Alsup originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcomplaintdamage complaintDamageComplaintgooglejavajudge william alsupJudgeWilliamAlsuplawsuitoracleoracle vs. googleOracleVs.Googlepatentpatent disputepatent suitPatentDisputepatentsPatentSuitwilliam alsupWilliamAlsupThu, 22 Sep 2011 12:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung countersues Apple in Australia, claims iPhone / iPad 2 violate its patents]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/18/samsung-countersues-apple-in-australia-claims-iphone-ipad-2-v/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/18/samsung-countersues-apple-in-australia-claims-iphone-ipad-2-v/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/18/samsung-countersues-apple-in-australia-claims-iphone-ipad-2-v/#commentsMan. Exciting stuff, here. Stuff like lawyers yelling at each other in varied continents because "your stuff looks too much like my theoretical stuff." The long, winding and increasingly mind-numbing battle between Samsung and Apple has taken yet another turn in Australia, with the former slapping the latter with a bold countersuit. According to The Wall Street Journal, Sammy feels that the iPhone and iPad 2 both "violate a number of wireless technology patents held by Samsung." Spokesman Nam Ki-yung stated the following: "To defend our intellectual property, Samsung filed a cross claim for Apple's violation of Samsung's wireless technology patents." The suit is being filed just days / weeks before a ruling will decide on whether the Galaxy Tab 10.1 can be legally sold Down Under, and in related news, Samsung is also appealing a recent ruling back in Germany. If ever the world needed an out-of-court settlement...

Samsung countersues Apple in Australia, claims iPhone / iPad 2 violate its patents originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappleAustraliabattlecourtgalaxygalaxy sgalaxy s iiGalaxySGalaxySIigermanygooglegoogle androidGoogleAndroidillegalintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyIPipadiphoneipodlawlawsuitlegalmobilepostcrosspatentpatentssamsungsuingsuitSun, 18 Sep 2011 13:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Google loads up on IP again, buys 1,000 more patents from IBM]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/15/google-loads-up-on-ip-again-buys-1000-more-patents-from-ibm/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/15/google-loads-up-on-ip-again-buys-1000-more-patents-from-ibm/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/15/google-loads-up-on-ip-again-buys-1000-more-patents-from-ibm/#comments Seems like we've heard this story before -- Google buys a bunch of patents to protect its cute little green baby from all the big, bad patent lawsuits. Only this time, instead of buying a hardware manufacturer to expand its patent warchest, team Mountain View merely purchased 1,023 bits of IP from IBM. Covering everything from a method for filling holes in printed wiring boards to a method for file system management, Google seems to have grabbed quite the eclectic collection -- one we're sure Big G will put to work for itself and its buddies in no time. Those looking to see the full results of this latest patent shopping spree can hit the source link below.

Google loads up on IP again, buys 1,000 more patents from IBM originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googleibmintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyiplegalpatentpatent purchasePatentPurchasepatentsusptoThu, 15 Sep 2011 03:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple wants to press pause on patent suits, calls Motorola a lame duck]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/apple-wants-to-press-pause-on-patent-suits-calls-motorola-a-lam/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/apple-wants-to-press-pause-on-patent-suits-calls-motorola-a-lam/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/apple-wants-to-press-pause-on-patent-suits-calls-motorola-a-lam/#comments In what could turn out to be a very expensive lesson in minding one's mouth, Apple plans to use Google's and Motorola's own words against them in court. Over the weekend, Cupertino's lawyers filed two motions to stay in patent-related litigation with Moto, claiming the OEM's pending merger renders its patent suits indefensible. According to Apple's legal team, the proposed Motorola Mobility acquisition effectively transfers patent control over to Google, an allegation that public-facing statements from both companies seem to corroborate. Citing the potential waste of resources and probable reversal of future pre-merger settlements, the house that Jobs built is hoping to hold off on the court room fisticuffs until after the GoogMo consolidation is settled. With both cases set for far-off trial dates in April and August of 2012, it looks like all parties involved have plenty of time to sort this mess out, and then battle it out once again.

Apple wants to press pause on patent suits, calls Motorola a lame duck originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleGooglelawsuitmobilepostcrossMotorolapatentpatent disputepatent disputespatent infringementpatent litigationpatent suitPatentDisputePatentDisputesPatentInfringementPatentLitigationpatentsPatentSuitTue, 13 Sep 2011 16:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's Moto Mobility deal may have had Microsoft roots, comes with $2.5 billion break-up fee]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/15/googles-moto-mobility-deal-may-have-had-microsoft-roots-comes/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/15/googles-moto-mobility-deal-may-have-had-microsoft-roots-comes/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/15/googles-moto-mobility-deal-may-have-had-microsoft-roots-comes/#comments Is Microsoft preparing to fill in Google's old mobile boots? It could very well be, now that the search king has firmly committed to the hardware side of the mobile business. According to a report on GigaOM, MS was one of many potential suitors circling Motorola's treasure trove of patents, effectively forcing El Goog to swoop in for the $12.5 billion kill. Moto's portfolio of 17,000 patents and 7,500 patent applications would have significantly strengthened Redmond's attack on the Android platform, but it appears the loss might actually benefit MS in other unintended ways. Despite the cheery, public well-wishing from handset makers, insider rumblings indicate a possible mass OEM defection to Windows Phone 7 could shortly be afoot, paving the way for a fierce, three-way mobile OS fight. For its part, Google doesn't seem too worried about the competition, considering the deal's hefty $2.5 billion break-up fee -- a percentage three times that of the AT&T / T-Mobile merger penalty -- a confident financial sign it intends to win this wireless race.

Google's Moto Mobility deal may have had Microsoft roots, comes with $2.5 billion break-up fee originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionandroidbusinesscell phonecell phonesCellPhoneCellPhonesgooglemergerMicrosoftmobilemobile phoneMobilePhonemobilepostcrossmotorolamotorola mobilityMotorolaMobilitypatentpatent applicationsPatentApplicationspatentssmartphonestech businessTechBusinesswindows phonewindows phone 7WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7WP 7Wp7Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Google addresses Microsoft's 'patent attack' response, says it didn't fall for its offer (update: Microsoft responds, again)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/google-addresses-microsofts-patent-attack-response-says-it-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/google-addresses-microsofts-patent-attack-response-says-it-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/google-addresses-microsofts-patent-attack-response-says-it-d/#commentsApple may still be staying out of the fray, but it looks like we now have a full-on back and forth between Google and Microsoft, following the former's blog post yesterday that alleged a "hostile, organized campaign" against Android on the part of Microsoft, Apple, Oracle and others. The latest word comes once again from Google's SVP and Chief Legal Officer, David Drummond, who has updated his original post with a response to what he calls Microsoft's "false gotcha." As you'll recall from late yesterday, Microsoft brought up the fact that it had offered Google the opportunity to bid jointly with it on the Novell patents, and that Google turned it down. According to Drummond, however, such a joint acquisition would have "eliminated any protection these patents could offer to Android against attacks from Microsoft and its bidding partners," and that it "didn't fall for it." He further goes on to note that the Justice Department's eventual intervention in the acquisition -- which required the winning group to provide a license to the open source community -- only backed up Google's case, and reaffirmed its original point that its "competitors are waging a patent war on Android and working together to keep us from getting patents that would help balance the scales." Still no response from Microsoft on that, but we'd recommend staying tuned.

Update: Well, once again, Frank Shaw, lead corporate communications for Microsoft, has taken to Twitter to tell Redmond's side of the story. In several tweets he reiterates that Google rebuffed Microsoft's offer to tag team the patent-bidding process and claims that El Goog wanted Novell's IP all to itself -- so that it could sue others instead of using the portfolio to reduce patent-liability for all. We don't know if that was Google's true intention, but we do enjoy seeing these two tech titans duke it out in a public forum. Keep it up, guys.

Google addresses Microsoft's 'patent attack' response, says it didn't fall for its offer (update: Microsoft responds, again) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david drummondDavidDrummondgooglemicrosoftnovellpatentpatent attackPatentAttackpatentsThu, 04 Aug 2011 16:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Google slams Apple and Microsoft, claims 'hostile, organized campaign' against Android waged through 'bogus patents' (update: Microsoft responds!)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/google-slams-apple-and-microsoft-claims-hostile-organized-cam/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/google-slams-apple-and-microsoft-claims-hostile-organized-cam/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/google-slams-apple-and-microsoft-claims-hostile-organized-cam/#commentsIt, as they say, is on. Google's Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, David Drummond, made an appearance on the company's official blog today with a post not-so-subtly-titled "When patents attack Android," which directly addresses what he calls a "hostile, organized campaign against Android by Microsoft, Oracle, Apple and other companies, waged through bogus patents." Drummond then goes on to cite a number of examples of this "organized campaign" from those trying to "strangle" Android, including Apple and Microsoft teaming up to buy Novell and Nortel's old patents "to make sure Google didn't get them," Microsoft seeking $15 licensing fees for each Android device, and lawsuits against the likes of Barnes & Noble, HTC, Motorola, and Samsung.

According to Drummond, those efforts amount to a "tax" that makes Android devices more expensive for consumers and manufacturers alike, and that "instead of competing by building new features or devices, they are fighting through litigation." He further goes on to bemoan the "anti-competitive strategy" that's "escalating the cost of patents way beyond what they're really worth," and closes things out by noting that he's encouraged by Justice Department investigations into the aforementioned Novell and Nortel patent issues. Hit the source link to read the full post yourself.

Update: And now, shots have been fired from both sides. Brad Smith, Microsoft's General Counsel, has shot off the following tweet: "Google says we bought Novell patents to keep them from Google. Really? We asked them to bid jointly with us. They said no." We're guessing the truth lies somewhere in between, as it always does.

Update 2: Hoo boy! The hits just keep comin' out of Redmond. Frank Shaw, lead corporate communications for Microsoft has just tweeted an image of an email between Brad Smith and Kent Walker (Google's General Counsel) that appears to corroborate the claims that Microsoft wanted to team up with El Goog.

Google slams Apple and Microsoft, claims 'hostile, organized campaign' against Android waged through 'bogus patents' (update: Microsoft responds!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappleDavid DrummondDavidDrummondgooglemicrosoftoraclepatentpatentsWed, 03 Aug 2011 17:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Sun CEO's deleted blog post to help end Oracle vs Google patent dispute?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/26/sun-ceos-deleted-blog-post-to-help-end-oracle-vs-google-patent/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/26/sun-ceos-deleted-blog-post-to-help-end-oracle-vs-google-patent/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/26/sun-ceos-deleted-blog-post-to-help-end-oracle-vs-google-patent/#comments Ever heard of estoppel? The term, sadly, does not denote a new German electronic bus service, but is rather a court-ordered way of telling companies "no backsies" on previously made public statements. It could also prove to be another nail in Oracle's patent dispute coffin, should Google's latest Wayback Machine defense hold up. Thanks to the internet's never say die policy, a 2007 post, recently deleted by Oracle, from Sun Microsystem's then CEO Jonathan Schwartz has surfaced, in which he enthusiastically endorsed Android's Java base. The public statement falls in line with the aforementioned legal doctrine, potentially contradicting new owner Oracle's patent infringement claims. Unfortunately for both parties, Judge William Alsup doesn't seem to be too cool under the collar as he's reportedly blasted each for "asking for the moon" and chiding them to "be more reasonable." A final ruling in this case is still a ways off, but in the meantime you can head to the source to read Schwartz's damning praise for yourself.

Sun CEO's deleted blog post to help end Oracle vs Google patent dispute? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidapachecopyrightcopyright infringementCopyrightInfringementgoogleintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyipjavaJavaScriptJonathan SchwartzJonathanSchwartzlawlawsuitlegalopen sourceOpenSourceoraclepatentpatent disputePatentDisputepatentssunSun MicrosystemsSunMicrosystemstrialTue, 26 Jul 2011 23:14:00 EST