It seems that Apple is finally getting a taste of their own medicine they dished out to Samsung in Germany, although it isn’t Samsung that has managed to give Apple a legal kicking in the biggest market in Europe by rather Motorola Mobility, with Apple losing a patent infringement case against Motorola in Germany.
According to an article over on Ubergizmo by way of those in the know, FOSS Parents, the two patents in question are, “multiple pager status synchronization system and method, and method for performing a countdown function during a mobile-originated transfer for a packet radio system.”
Apparently both patents are fundamental enough to possibly have an effect on every Apple smartphone, and word is the decision by the German court could mean an immediate halt o sales of Apple gear to retailers in the country, so one presumes that would included the iPhone 4S and Apple iPad 2.
The halt on Apple supplying retailer in Germany will take effect even if Apple lodges an appeal against the ban at some point, although apparently the ruling doesn’t stop German retailers for sourcing Apple products from other countries.
Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents contacted Motorola and Jennifer Weyrauch-Erickson replied via email stating that she “can confirm that the Mannheim District Court granted an injunction against infringement from Apple.”
Apparently Apple didn’t respond to Mueller, however did deliver a statement on the matter to several media people including Cnet, which states…“This is a procedural issue and has nothing to do with the merits of the case. It does not affect our ability to do business or sell products in Germany at this time.”
So although it isn’t quite clear whether Apple products will be banning from being sold in Germany, it is a win for Motorola, and obviously a defeat for Apple.
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