German court invalidates Microsoft patent being used in Motorola sales ban

Its the same old story — litigation has largely replaced innovation. Apple and Samsung are famous for this, but Microsoft is no slouch either, earning a tidy sum by strong-arming Android makers. However, the company’s recent battle, which took place in a German court, has not gone as planned. Microsoft had high hopes of blocking the sales of some Motorola phones (Motorola Atrix, the Droid Razr and the Droid Razr Maxx) within the country, but instead encountered an even bigger problem than the sale of those devices.

This fight isn’t new. The two companies have been at this since 2012, when Microsoft won an injunction, though it was not enforced, pending an appeal. But for Microsoft, it all has taken a turn for the worst today. A German court has invalidated the Microsoft the patent that was at the heart of the injunction. The patent is on FAT (file allocation table) and allows for the storage of long and short file names, ensuring that media files can be easily searchable.

WinBeta has reached out to Microsoft for comment, but at the moment the company is not responding on this matter. As for the reason the patent was invalidated, we will also have to wait for that as well. The court is unable to comment until the official judicial decision is written, which could take several months. Microsoft can appeal this decision.