Apple looks to delay Motorola patent suits

Apple is asking the courts to delay two infringement cases with Motorola. The Cupertino company argues that Motorola has lost control over its patents because of the Google-Motorola deal. Apple's official statement says,

To further its pending acquisition by Google, Motorola has surrendered critical rights in the patents-in-suit, such that Motorola no longer has prudential standing to pursue this action. According to the publicly-filed Merger Agreement, Motorola has ceded control of the most basic rights regarding the patents-in-suit. Absent Google's consent, Motorola cannot: (1) sue for infringement of its patents in any new action; (2) settle pending litigation (including this case) that would require a license to any of its patents; (3) license or sublicense its patents except in limited circumstances relating to the sale of Motorola's products; (4) assign its rights in its patents; and/or (5) grant a covenant not to sue for infringement of its patents.

Motorola has not responded and the court has not made a decision about Apple's request to postpone these suits.