US court blocks Apple in Google battle

July 2, 2012

As per the ruling from Chicago federal court, US:

Apple Inc. cannot pursue an injunction against Google’s Motorola Mobility unit.

– The court dismissed the lawsuit b/w Apple and Motorola Mobility with prejudice, implying that it can’t be re-filed.

Apple had hoped a decision against Motorola that would have helped it gain ascendancy in the smartphone market against Android.

Both parties have the option to appeal the ruling.

Background:

Motorola filed lawsuit against Apple in October 2010, a move that was widely considered as a preventive strike against an imminent Apple lawsuit.
Apple filed its own claims against Motorola the same month.
Apple had claimed an injunction banning the sale of Motorola products that use Apple’s patented technology.

– But the court ruled that neither party is entitled to an injunction.

– The court found the injunction inapt since Motorola could design around the minor technological features covered by Apple’s patents.

– The Court also noticed that imposing an injunction would be an inappropriate bonanza for Apple and would be major damage to Motorola.

– As per the court Apple could not clearly prove that Motorola phones caused a loss of consumer goodwill significant enough for an injunction.

– The court was still asserting the Motorola claim against Apple