Google sued by BT over Android patent disputes

Lawsuits these days are becoming more and more uncommon. They can arise because of infringement of copyright or on patents, arguments in business practises or agreements, and so on and so forth. For instance, it was reported that Apple had just recently lost a lawsuit in China over the name of the iPad. As a result, their best-selling tablet might have to be marketed under a different product name in the country. Apple had also lost a lawsuit versus Motorola, where a judge ruled that Apple had been guilty of infringing upon Motorola’s patents for data packet transfer technology (GPRS). On a similar note, BT Broadband is suing Google over Android patents. The broadband giant is claiming billions in damages against Google, claiming that the Android mobile operating system infringes a number of BT’s key patents. The lawsuit was filed in Delaware in the United States. BT claims that Google Maps, Google Music, and other location-based apps for Android infringe upon their patents that were filed in the 1990s. A spokesperson for BT has said: “BT can confirm that it has commenced legal proceedings against Google by filing a claim with the US district court of Delaware for patent infringement. The patents in question relate to technologies that underpin location-based services, navigation and guidance information, and personalised access to services and content. BT’s constant investment in innovation has seen it develop a large portfolio of patents, which are valuable corporate assets.” Independent expert Florian Müller commented: “Android already had more than enough intellectual problems anyway. Now Google faces one more large organisation that believes its rights are infringed. BT probably wants to continue to be able to do business with all mobile device makers and therefore decided to sue Google itself.” In response, a Google spokesman has said: “We believe these claims are without merit, and we will defend vigorously against them.”