THE COMPLAINT: Microsoft has filed a formal complaint in the European Union against Motorola Mobility, saying its aggressive enforcement of patent rights breaks competition rules.
IN TRANSITION: Motorola is in the process of being taken over by Google for $12.5 billion. When European regulators cleared Google’s takeover of Motorola earlier this month, it indicated concern over Motorola’s aggressive patent enforcement.
BIGGER PICTURE: The complaint follows a similar step by Apple against Motorola last week. The complaints are the latest development in increasingly acrimonious disputes between global technology giants over patents on standardized technologies.
