U.S. Judge Expresses Frustration at Apple's and Google's Use of Litigation as 'Business Strategy' - MacRumors
Skip to Content

U.S. Judge Expresses Frustration at Apple's and Google's Use of Litigation as 'Business Strategy'

Bloomberg reports on comments from a U.S. District Court judge in Miami chastising Apple and Google for engaging in patent lawsuits as part of a broader business strategy rather than focusing on resolution of the disputes. The judge is currently overseeing a legal dispute that began with an initial complaint by Motorola Mobility in late 2010 and was expanded in January 2012 with the approval of Google, which had agreed to acquire Motorola several months earlier.

“The parties have no interest in efficiently and expeditiously resolving this dispute; they instead are using this and similar litigation worldwide as a business strategy that appears to have no end,” U.S. District Judge Robert Scola in Miami said in an order dated yesterday. “That is not a proper use of this court.”

apple_google_logos
Scola went on to blast the companies' "obstreperous and cantankerous conduct" in refusing to streamline the 12 patents and over 180 claims currently involved in the lawsuit.

“Without a hint of irony, the parties now ask the court to mop up a mess they made by holding a hearing to reduce the size and complexity of the case,” he wrote. “The court declines this invitation.”

Scola has given Apple and Google four months in which to streamline the case on their own before he puts the case on hold.

Popular Stories

macworld iphone 18 pro colors

iPhone 18 Pro's Four Rumored Colors Revealed, Including 'Dark Cherry'

Friday April 17, 2026 3:50 am PDT by
A source said to be familiar with Apple's supply chain today revealed the color options Apple is planning for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the upcoming foldable iPhone. Image via Macworld. The information comes from Macworld, which says the signature new color for this year's Pro models will be Dark Cherry, a deep wine-like red. While other sources had previously reported on a...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Wednesday April 15, 2026 8:15 am PDT by
According to the latest rumors, Apple is close to launching its next-generation iPad mini. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over a year ago? Read on to find out. Processor and Performance Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to information found in code...
macOS 27 on MacBook Pro

macOS 27 Will Mark the End of an Era

Saturday April 18, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
During its Platforms State of the Union segment at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe is the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available...

Top Rated Comments

Oletros Avatar
170 months ago
A wise judge
Score: 45 Votes (Like | Disagree)
phillipduran Avatar
170 months ago
Whoa! Whoa there Judge. Common sense has no place in today's judicial process.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
170 months ago
If you can't innovate; litigate.

I'm still disappointed that Jobs lost it, and chose the juvenile rant. Going "thermonuclear" is a tantrum that forever taints his legacy. Shameful.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
170 months ago
What, so they now don't want corporations to use the Legal system, and duke it out Mafia style? Its the Legal and patent system that needs fixing, not the other way round.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe-Diver Avatar
170 months ago
obstreperous

Must start using this....
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WiiDSmoker Avatar
170 months ago
If you can't innovate; litigate.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)