The legal episode between Microsoft and Google is settled anew, with a court ruling that the amount the software company pays to use the search giant's patents is properly set. According to Hacked, Microsoft still has rights to use some of Google's patents. The court has ruled that the amount Microsoft pays the company is fair for both parties.
Microsoft and Google have been embroiled in a legal battle since 2010. The software company has alleged that its contract with Motorola was breached by the mobile maker, which Google formerly owned. The case came about when Microsoft saw that a Motorola patent it was using is not compatible with its gaming device, Xbox and other devices.
The court documents state the reason for the recent decision, citing that standard setting organizations are to allow products to work compatibly with one another, in light of the Motorola complaint.
Setting standards lets product manufacturers and makers look at aspects of their products that can work anti-competitively. "Most notably, once a standard becomes widely adopted, SEP holders obtain substantial leverage over new product developers," the document stated. Developers will then be required to adhere to the set standards as a result thereof.
Motorola previously demanded large sums of money from Microsoft for using its patents. In 2013, a court has rewarded the software company $14 million as a result of ruling in favor of Microsoft. This is in relation to the Xbox lawsuit.
It is highly likely that the software company is pleased with the ruling, because as such, Google will now be unable to demand more money from Microsoft. This development, however, may spur more debates regarding the value of patents in the field of technology.
Google has been vocal about advocating against patent trolls, which demand huge amounts of money from users, for patents which are not even manufactured and produced. The search company has offered over 100 free patents to startups.
The companies have not commented on the recent court decision.
