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\f0\fs24 \cf0 \cb2 (image source: {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/european-commission-postpones-google-motorola-decision/"}}{\fldrslt
\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \ul Digital Trends}})\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\uc0\u8232 \u8232 \b \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
BY EVAN THOMAS \b0 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0 \
\pard\pardeftab720\sl320
\b \cf0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 ANCHOR JASMINE BAILEY
\b0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0
Get your patent bingo cards out. This time around, Google and Motorola are under the
gun at the FTC.\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232 {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK
"http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-29/google-said-to-face-u-s-probe-over-motorola-patents.html"}}{\fldrslt \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\ul Bloomberg reports}}\kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0 the Federal Trade Commission has sent Google
a civil investigative demand \'97\'a0similar to a subpoena. The commission is investigating
Google and Motorola\'92s use of standards-essential patents in litigation, to determine if the
companies are overcharging for licenses and unfairly suppressing competition.\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\uc0\u8232 \u8232 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0 Google has repeatedly said it doesn\'92t use
its patents to lock others out of the market. {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120629-715957.html"}}{\fldrslt
\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \ul The Wall Street Journal got Google\'92s
statement on Friday.}}\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232
\b \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 "We take our commitments to license on fair,
reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms very seriously and are happy to answer any questions."
\b0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0
But Motorola is accused of using standards-essential patents in an attempt to secure import bans
on Microsoft\'92s Xbox and Apple\'92s iPhone. The FTC says such bans would damage competition
and innovation, and {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/30/3127315/ftc-reportedly-investigating-google-over-motorolas-use-of-frand"}}{\fldrslt
\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \ul The Verge\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\ulnone }}says the boilerplate on the matter isn\'92t likely to change the commission\'92s
mind.\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232
\b \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \'93\'85while there's no word on just how
far the FTC is planning on taking this probe, the commission's attitude towards Motorola's
(and now Google's) actions seems fairly obvious: dubious.\'94
\b0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0
Especially given the amount of cash these licensing deals can represent. {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK
"http://www.phonearena.com/news/Report-Google-and-Motorola-being-investigated-by-FTC-for-not-honoring-FRAND-commitments_id31764"}}{\fldrslt \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\ul Phone Arena explains}} \'97\'a0the 2.25-percent fee Motorola wants for use of its patents
can really stack up.\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232
\b \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \'93For Microsoft's Xbox 360, Motorola receives
$4.50 for each device sold. For the H.264 patent that Microsoft needs for Windows, the
2.25% for the video playback patent in question, would add up to billions of dollars, assuming
the average PC is priced at $500.\'94 \b0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\uc0\u8232 \u8232 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0 On top of the FTC\'92s latest inquiries, Google
is facing similar scrutiny in two separate European Union investigations. {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK
"http://www.fosspatents.com/2012/06/googlemotorola-reportedly-being.html"}}{\fldrslt \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\ul Florian Mueller at FOSS Patents suggests}} \'96\'a0Google needs to realize it\'92s time
to back off.\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232
\b \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \'93\'85Google should withdraw its abusive
requests for import bans and injunctions in the U.S. and Germany. Google has every right
to defend Android. It even owes this to the Android ecosystem. But it has to do so without
violating competition laws.\'94 \b0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\uc0\u8232 \u8232 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0 Meanwhile, the latest investigation could
play into larger legal movements. The FTC\'92s request comes as Google is facing a broader
commission investigation into whether its search business practices harm competition.\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\uc0\u8232 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0 \'a0\ }