EU: Motorola faces defeat in Apple patent feud

European Commissioner Joaquin Almunia announced plans to issue a prohibition decision against Motorola Mobility in efforts to curb the smartphone company’s patent litigation against Apple Inc.

Almunia told reporters of regulatory plans that will likely include an order for Motorola to change its behavior; the commissioner did not specify whether the company would be subject to fines.

The European Commission’s efforts are part of a broader agenda to put a haly to anticompetitive litigation launched between technology giants for use of each other’s patents. The practice, some experts conclude, not only harms competition but also innovation.

Almunia’s announcement, suggesting an impeding Motorola defeat, comes as HTC and Nokia announced an end to all pending patent law suits against each other, having struck a licensing agreement.

Google recently sold Motorola Mobility to Lenovo Group, but will retain Motorola’s patent portfolio, say reports.

Full Content: Lawyer Herald

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