UPDATE: Google Withdraws Patent Claim Against Apple
4:00p ET October 2, 2012 (Dow Jones)
UPDATE: Google Withdraws Patent Claim Against Apple
(Adds Google statement, companion filing in Delaware.)
By John Letzing
Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Motorola Mobility has withdrawn a patent-infringement claim against rival Apple Inc. (AAPL) that was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission in a bid to ban the import of some Apple products.
In its filing published by the ITC, Motorola didn't offer details as to why it is terminating its claim. A Google spokeswoman said in a statement only that the Mountain View, Calif. company would "continue to vigorously defend our partners."
Motorola's claim, filed in August, alleged that Apple had infringed seven of its patents with Apple devices such as the iPhone and iPad.
However, the claim didn't concern so-called standards essential patents, which are considered key for the wireless industry and therefore have been a source of considerable friction between its various players.
Motorola has filed a separate patent claim against Apple with the ITC, which is ongoing.
An Apple spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Motorola was acquired by Google in May. The Illinois-based outfit has a history of patent litigation with Apple, much of it as a result of Apple diving into the wireless industry with the unveiling of its first iPhone in 2007.
At the time that Motorola filed its recently withdrawn patent complaint at the ITC, it said it had sought to settle the matter with Apple, though "Apple's unwillingness to work out a license leaves us little choice but to defend ourselves."
In its motion to terminate its claim, Motorola says the move wasn't a result of any "agreements between Motorola and Apple, written or oral, express or implied."
A notice of dismissal was filed in a related patent suit filed by Motorola against Apple in federal court in Delaware.
Write to John Letzing at
john.letzing@dowjones.com
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