Google has finally decided to put an end to the battle with Microsoft over the two patent infringement claims that it made in regards to the Xbox 360s video compression and wi-fi technology.

The patents that were in question were actually developed by the Google subsidiary Motorola Mobility. This company had previously sought to secure a ban on the sale of several Microsoft products for the alleged infringements.

Google did win an injunction in May 2012 again Microsoft in Germany, allowing a sales ban on Xbox 360, Windows 7 system software, Internet Explorer, and even Windows Media Player. Despite this win, the US appeals court later blocked this decision.

Google and Microsoft are also locked in an ongoing battle over trying to determine suitable royalty rates for the use of one of the patents, which Microsoft has sought to license.

Google has sought a fee of $4 billion annually, but Microsoft has rejected that offer stating that the patents are only worth about 1/4 of that price because they are essential to the technology industry and therefore should be licensed on more reasonable and non-discriminatory terms.

Posted: Jan 11, 2013 3:11 pm
Related Forum: Xbox Forum