Post #13: Samsung v. Apple - A Neverending Struggle

It seems like Samsung and Apple are going at it again and not just in the United States.  This latest overseas battle is over a 3G standard-essential patent (SEP).  A SEP is a patent that claims an invention that must be used to comply with a technical standard.  The patent-in-suit is  EP1679803, a "method for configuring gain factors for uplink service in radio telecommunication system."

Today, Judge Andreas Voss ordered a retrial for July 26, 2013 because yesterday Justice Floyd in the United Kingdom declared three of Samsung's SEPs were invalid.  Voss scheduled this retrial because Samsung presented a theory that Apple didn't meet burden of proof as a defendant and that more information about the way German mobile networks work in order to make a final decision.  

On the other end, it is interesting to see how Apple successfully got a ban of the Galaxy Tab 10.1.  Regardless, these two companies just continue to fight and try to establish dominance over one another.  This wouldn't be the first time Samsung has fought over a SEP either, they've currently lost over 25 cases.

Post #12: A Ban on Google Maps?

Apparently so.  Judge Dr. Matthias Zigan of the Munich I Regional Court told Google and its Motorola Mobility subsidiary that it infringed on of Microsoft's patents.  This patent, known as EPo845124, is a "computer system for identifying local resources and method therefor," which is also the same as the US Patent No. 6,240,360.  What this means for Google is that it will most likely have to stop delivering its Maps services to Germany.

This can lead to many things, 1. A national German map based app comes out 2. People find other map service providers 3. A new app is developed, like Waze an Israeli-based company that does free GPS.  Or will Apple maps finally become more popular? Realistically, Google Maps is a great service, but there are so many alternatives out there that it won't be hard to find one that suits your needs.

Microsoft now wants to obtain a patent injunction against Google Maps service, the Google Maps Android Client app and web browsers providing access to Google Maps.  For Google to even do this it would have to completely disable its Maps service from any user who has a German IP address, discontinue shipping the Google Maps Android app in the German market and distribute web browsers in Germany only if they block access to Google Maps.

The final verdict will come within the next few months, but Google will most likely lose.  Everything Microsoft wants to do seems like it will be a huge blow to German users.  This time, not only Google loses. but so does the consumer.