Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
[ 100 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
82 months ago
Whoa! Whoa there Judge. Common sense has no place in today's judicial process.
82 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.
82 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.
82 months ago
I agree with the judge. It's about time these spoiled brats grew up. The only winners are lawyers.
82 months ago
It only takes one company to send two to court
If a competitor is willing to create a product that they know violates patents—they are asking to go to court. If a competitor decides to sue you, you must go to court. That sounds like normal use of the system to me.
If a competitor is willing to create a product that they know violates patents—they are asking to go to court. If a competitor decides to sue you, you must go to court. That sounds like normal use of the system to me.
82 months ago
It blows my mind how anyone can excuse the companies' rights to litigation upon infringement.
If someone copies your idea, it's ok to let it slide?
If someone copies your idea, it's ok to let it slide?
82 months ago
Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't this start out as a Motorola lawsuit against Apple claiming infringement on FRAND patents ?
So don't go bashing Apple. Instead the government should start looking at Google for abusing the FRAND patents in lawsuits.
So don't go bashing Apple. Instead the government should start looking at Google for abusing the FRAND patents in lawsuits.
[ Read All Comments ]
Apple today began selling an updated version of the Rotor Riot wired game controller for iPhone and iPad through its online store. The new model features a redesigned directional pad, a built-in...
Los Angeles FC fans can now order food and drinks ahead of time directly on their iPhones at the Banc of California Stadium.
The MLS team has partnered with artificial intelligence platform...
An escalating trade war between Japan and South Korea could make Chinese manufacturer BOE Technology a "strong contender" for OLED display orders from Apple, according to industry sources who...
iPhone loyalty has hit its lowest level since 2011 and Samsung has been the main benefactor, claims a new survey conducted by trade-in service BankMyCell.
The survey, cited by CNET, tracked...
Sky: Children of the Light, by Journey developer thatgamecompany, is now available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Its release follows last year's launch of the beta version of the game, titled...
Plex today announced a few updates for its Apple TV and iOS apps, adding notable new features that are worth highlighting.
The Apple TV app now supports HDR video playback, and Plex Pass...
The newest version of Spotify for iOS, released yesterday, quietly added support for Apple's multitasking Slide Over and Split View feature on the iPad.
As noted on Reddit and highlighted by...
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of watchOS 6, the software that runs on the Apple Watch. The new beta comes two weeks after the third beta and more than a month after Apple first unveiled the new...
