Microsoft sues Motorola in Germany again, claims Google Maps violates patent

[ ](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/11/microsoft-sues-motorola-in-germany-again-over-google-maps/)

Motorola isn't going to escape as cleanly [as it would like](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/05/german-court-sides-with-motorola/) from Microsoft's patent lawsuit campaign. Microsoft has sued Motorola once more [in Germany](http://www.engadget.com/tag/motorola,microsoft,germany), only this time it's waging a more direct fight against Motorola's owner Google. The lawsuit claims that Motorola devices violate a patent for taking map information from one set and overlaying it with data from another -- a technique that describes Google Maps, not to mention virtually every internet-connected mapping system we know. Details aren't yet available for the devices allegedly at risk, but the accusation would make it harder for Google, Motorola or both to simply [code around the problem](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/08/moto-pulls-phones-and-tablets-from-german-site/) if they lose. No doubt Microsoft is counting on just that obstacle to have the [RAZR](http://www.engadget.com/photos/motorola-razr-i-review/) maker fall in line [with everyone else](http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/02/honeywell-next-up-to-get-a-patent-license-from-microsoft-goes-t/) and take a license just for using Android.

Filed under: [Cellphones](http://www.engadget.com/category/cellphones/), [GPS](http://www.engadget.com/category/gps/), [Mobile](http://www.engadget.com/category/mobile/), [Microsoft](http://www.engadget.com/category/microsoft/), [Google](http://www.engadget.com/category/google/)

[Microsoft sues Motorola in Germany again, claims Google Maps violates patent](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/11/microsoft-sues-motorola-in-germany-again-over-google-maps/) originally appeared on [Engadget](http://www.engadget.com) on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 11:24:00 EDT. Please see our [terms for use of feeds](http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).

######

[Permalink](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/11/microsoft-sues-motorola-in-germany-again-over-google-maps/)&nbsp_place_holder; &nbsp_place_holder;|&nbsp_place_holder; [Computerworld](http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9232285/Microsoft_says_Motorola_Android_phones_infringe_its_mapping_patent?source=rss_mobilewireless&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+computerworld%2Fs%2Ffeed%2Ftopic%2F15+%28Computerworld+Mobile+and+Wireless+News%29) &nbsp_place_holder;|&nbsp_place_holder;[Email this](http://www.engadget.com/forward/20347596/)&nbsp_place_holder;|&nbsp_place_holder;[Comments](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/11/microsoft-sues-motorola-in-germany-again-over-google-maps/#comments)

URL: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/11/microsoft-sues-motorola-in-germany-again-over-google-maps/