(Updates with statement from Microsoft, additional details on
one patent.)
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. (MMI) said an administrative law
judge ruled in its favor on six of seven patent-infringement claims
brought against it by Microsoft Corp. (MSFT).
The mobile-phone maker touted the initial determination from the
U.S. International Trade Commission and said it would work to
remedy the cause of a ruling against it on one Microsoft patent
that covers a method of synchronizing users' schedules from their
mobile devices.
Microsoft deputy general counsel David Howard said the company
was pleased with the initial determination on that patent after the
administrative law judge affirmed four of its claims.
"As Samsung, HTC, Acer and other companies have recognized,
respecting others' intellectual property through licensing is the
right path forward," Howard said in a statement.
Electronics and software makers have been stepping up litigation
against one another in recent years as the red-hot market for
mobile devices raises the stakes for each new technological
breakthrough.
The dispute comes as Android platform maker Google Inc. (GOOG)
completes its acquisition of Motorola Mobility, a move that further
blurs the competitive landscape among software and hardware
companies. Motorola Mobility's patent portfolio is seen as a major
driver of Google's roughly $12.5 billion buyout of the company.
Motorola Mobility said Tuesday it continues to press active
patent-infringement suits against Microsoft in a number of
jurisdictions.
The commission must still deliberate on Tuesday's initial
determination and is slated to reach a decision on April 20.
Motorola Mobility shares were recently off a penny at $38.69
after hours, while Microsoft traded down 10 cents at $25.93.
-By Drew FitzGerald, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2909;
andrew.fitzgerald@dowjones.com