Post 24- Google and Microsoft in Germany

In recent posts, I have discussed how Google has not been faring well in the smartphone patent war and talked about how their 12.5 billion dollar purchase of Motorola is becoming an increasingly more questionable move given it's been lacking in yielding success for Google. This week, the trend continues, and this time, Google suffered a big blow to Microsoft in German courts. Today, the Mannheim Regional Court announced that despite Google's biggest hopes, an injunction against Microsoft will not be enforced, and furthermore, Google actually owes Microsoft a license.

The patent in question with which Google was trying to enforce an injunction against Microsoft was the famous push notification patent that they purchased from Motorola (diagram included illustrates it). Many of our classmates in Patent Engineering have discussed how Google had success against Apple in Germany over this patent, but unfortunately for Google, they weren't able to win another one. Their Chief Litigator even flew out from Menlo Park for the case, and was predictably disappointed upon losing. Apparently, according to "ManagingIP"magazine, Microsoft has the best IP/licensing team in the world.

Lastly, the article discussed how Microsoft has already won a US import ban and 3 German injunctions against Google's Android phones and will win a 4th one relating to Google maps. Looks like the trend is continuing with Google's bad luck in these patent disputes.