Motorola Sues Microsoft for Alleged Patent Infringement Then Resents Itself

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Microsoft sued Motorola for alleged patent infringement, and then, just to make things clear and diversify for a change, Redmond sued them again. I guess Motorola couldn’t take it anymore and decided to file a countersuit against Microsoft, for, and you’d better be sitting down for this, alleged patent infringement.

Yet another boring battle between two important names in the business to watch, right along the Apple vs Nokia and Nokia vs Apple trials.

Motorola is taking the horns by the bull and it claims that Microsoft is infringing on no less than sixteen patents with its PC and Server software, Windows Mobile software and Xbox product. It looks like Moto has done its homework in preparation of the foreseeable settlement between the companies:

The Motorola patents directed to PC and Server software relate to Windows OS, digital video coding, email technology including Exchange, Messenger and Outlook, Windows Live instant messaging and object oriented software architecture. The Motorola patents directed to Windows mobile software relate to Windows Marketplace, Bing maps and object oriented software architecture. The Motorola patents directed to Xbox relate to digital video coding, WiFi technology, and graphical passwords. Motorola Mobility has requested that Microsoft cease using Motorola’s patented technology and provide compensation for Microsoft’s past infringement.

That seems pretty serious right there, not that we’re really going to judge or take sides. Eventually these two parties will get along, and, when the stars will be properly aligned or hell will freeze over once again, Motorola will make Windows Phone 7 handsets. That’s what started this war in the first place, isn’t it your Ballmerness?

Anyway Motorola feels really ashamed about the whole deal and resents itself for having to sue Microsoft back. Here’s what Kirk Dailey, corporate vice president of intellectual property at Motorola Mobility have to say on Moto’s legal action:

“It is unfortunate,” he said, “that Microsoft has chosen the litigation path rather than entering into comprehensive licensing negotiations, as Motorola has mutually beneficial licensing relationships with the great majority of technology companies industry-wide.”

Whose side would you rather take?