Judge rules Motorola infringed one Microsoft patent, not six others

Motorola Mobility has been found to have infringed on a Microsoft patent in making its Android-based mobile handsets, according to a preliminary ruling by the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

Both companies claimed victory as the ITC judge found that Motorola Mobility had infringed only on one of seven patents that Microsoft had said.

Motorola Mobility, which is being acquired by Internet giant Google for $12.5 billion, has infringed on Microsoft's technology that covers techniques to schedule meetings and synchronise group calendars from a mobile device.

Scott Offer, senior vice president and general counsel of Motorola Mobility, said, "We are very pleased that the majority of the rulings were favourable to Motorola Mobility …

"The ALJ's initial determination may provide clarity on the definition of the Microsoft 566 patent for which a violation was found and will help us avoid infringement of this patent in the US market."

The ruling comes after an ITC decision on 19 December to ban imports of HTC Android products that infringe an Apple's patent (See: US agency's Apple ruling hits Google's Android phones).