Google Accuses Microsoft and Nokia of Patent Abuse

Google today filed lawsuits with the European Commission, the U.S. International Trade Commission, and the Department of Justice over what it says is the misuse of the patent system by Microsoft and Nokia. According to Google, Microsoft and Nokia have sold off patents to third-party licensing firms, which then hit supposed violators of the patents with litigation. "Nokia and Microsoft are colluding to raise the costs of mobile devices for consumers, creating patent trolls that side-step promises both companies have made," said Google in a statement. "They should be held accountable, and we hope our complaint spurs others to look into these practices." Google is chiefly concerned about 2,000 patents that Microsoft and Nokia sold to a company called MOSAID last year, 1,200 of which are deemed standards essential patents for the operation of mobile devices. Motorola, which is now owned by Google, has been accused of similar patent abuse practices in the EU.

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