German court rules against Microsoft on patents

BERLIN - The Associated Press

REUTERS photo

A court in Germany has ruled that Microsoft infringed two patents held by Motorola.

The state court in the southern city of Mannheim on Wednesday upheld Motorola's complaint on the patent breaches and declared Microsoft Corp. liable for damages. It didn't set an amount for the damages.

The court also ordered Microsoft to remove all products that infringe the patents from the German market, including its Xbox 360 console and the Windows 7 operating system.

The verdict comes into force after seven days unless either party appeals. Microsoft spokesman Thomas Baumgaertner said the company plans to do so.

The German case is linked to a complaint Microsoft and Apple filed with the European Union alleging Motorola overcharged for the licensing of its patents.