Also affected for distribution is Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player. US courts have ruled that Motorola can’t enforce any action until it’s settled further; Germany disagrees.
The use of H.264 video compression technology is the source of the patent legal trouble between the two giants. Microsoft anticipated the likely event of trouble however from Germany.
They had moved their European distribution centre out of Germany and into the Netherlands last month so they could continue to operate without being shutdown. ”This is one step in a long process, and we are confident that Motorola will eventually be held to its promise to make its standard essential patents available on fair and reasonable terms for the benefit of consumers who enjoy video on the web,” said Microsoft in a statement.
”Motorola is prohibited from acting on today’s decision, and our business in Germany will continue as usual while we appeal this decision and pursue the fundamental issue of Motorola’s broken promise.” It’ll prove very costly for Motorola to maintain its injunction but a legal agreement between them is far more likely.
It’s just business as usual, really.