US court blocks Apple in Google battle

July 2nd, 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