Click to Skip Ad
Closing in...

Google halts ITC patent case against Microsoft in wake of antitrust agreement

Published Jan 9th, 2013 9:15AM EST
Google Microsoft ITC PAtent

If you buy through a BGR link, we may earn an affiliate commission, helping support our expert product labs.

The Federal Trade Commission seems to be getting results so farCNET reports that Google (GOOG) has decided to withdraw a patent complaint against Microsoft (MSFT) that Motorola had filed with the International Trade Commission before it was acquired by Google. According to CNET, the two Motorola patents covered “wireless and video coding” technologies that Microsoft had allegedly used in both the Xbox and assorted Windows Phones. The two patents were also standard essential patents that Google had voluntarily agreed not to use in offensive lawsuits against competitors as part of its antitrust agreement with the FTC last week, so it’s not surprising that Google would hastily withdraw complaints involving any FRAND patents that it owns.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.