Microsoft patent fears lead to distribution move
Managing IP is part of the Delinian Group, Delinian Limited, 4 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AX, Registered in England & Wales, Company number 00954730
Copyright © Delinian Limited and its affiliated companies 2024

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Microsoft patent fears lead to distribution move

Microsoft is moving its European software distribution centre out of Germany to the Netherlands to avoid the risk of having its products banned in the country if it loses a patent lawsuit later this month

A court in Mannheim is set to rule on April 17 in a case filed by Motorola against the computer software company. Motorola claims that Microsoft has infringed one of its patents for video technology.

At the moment, arvato, owned by Bertelsmann, distributes software in Europe for Microsoft.

“We have a great relationship with arvato and we are pleased with the quality of their service,” said Microsoft spokesman in an emailed statement. “But Motorola’s refusal to live up to its patent promises has left us no choice. We would have preferred to keep our European distribution center with arvato in Germany as it has been for many years, but unfortunately the risk of disruption from Motorola’s patent litigation is simply too high.”

The company’s decision has highlighted the differences in patent law practices between Germany and some of its neighbours. The country’s judges have a reputation for being more willing to grant injunctions than colleagues in courts outside Germany.

more from across site and ros bottom lb

More from across our site

A 36-member team from Zhong Lun Law Firm, including six partners, will join the newly formed East IP Group
The Delhi High Court sided with Ericsson against Indian smartphone maker Lava, bringing the companies' nine-year dispute to a close
We provide a rundown of Managing IP’s news and analysis from the week, and review what’s been happening elsewhere in IP
Tennessee has passed the ELVIS Act, a law that fights against AI models that mimic the voice and likeness of music artists
Rob Stien, chief communications and public policy officer at InterDigital, says the EU has forgotten innovators while trying to solve an issue that doesn’t exist
As Australia’s Qantm IP leans towards being acquired by a private equity company, sources discuss what it could mean for IP firms
Law firms that are conscious of their role in society are more likely to win work, according to a survey of over 23,000 in-house professionals
Nghiem Xuan Bac Pham, managing partner of Vision & Associates, discusses opportunities created by the US-China rift as well as profitability issues facing IP practices
Douglas Leite and two of his colleagues were intrigued by Bhering Advogados’s mission to grow its patent litigation practice
Each week Managing IP speaks to a different IP practitioner about their life and career
Gift this article