Google faces German Motorola phone patent ban

Motorola faces the prospect of being forced to remove its handsets from sale in Germany and to recall phones already bought by business customers.

A local court has ruled that the antennas used by the Google-owned business infringe a patent owned by a German laser specialist.

The firm, LPKF, now has the right to block the products from sale unless Google comes to some other agreement.

It told the BBC it had not yet decided how to proceed.

A German patent consultant said it was not a simple decision to make.

"If LPKF wants to enforce the action it faces economic risk," said Florian Mueller, who has previously advised Microsoft and Oracle.

"If it makes Motorola pull and recall products today, LPKF could later be liable for wrongful enforcement damages in a year or so if Motorola appeals and ultimately prevails."

Google is in the process of selling its Motorola business to the Chinese tech firm Lenovo, but the deal has yet to be completed.

"We are disappointed in the decision but Motorola has taken steps to avoid any interruption in supply," said a spokesman for the firm.\

source : BBC