Google accuses Microsoft and Nokia of creating patent trolls to weaken Android

Google has accused Microsoft and Nokia of colluding in an attempt to artificially raise the price of mobile phones. The search giant filed a complaint with the European Commission (EC) stating Microsoft and Nokia conspired together to use their patents against competitors and drive up the cost of headsets. "Nokia and Microsoft are colluding to raise the costs of mobile devices for consumers, creating patent trolls that side-step promises both companies have made," a Google spokesperson told V3.

 "They should be held accountable, and we hope our complaint spurs others to look into these practices." Google believes that Microsoft and Nokia entered into agreements with companies like Canadian copyright licensing firm Mosaid Technologies in an attempt to covertly enforce their patent holdings and destabilise the mobile phone market. By giving their patents to third parties, Microsoft and Nokia could perceivably, and legally, charge competitors for the use of their patents through proxy.

 Google argued that Mosaid acquired patents on behalf of Microsoft and Nokia in an attempt to enforce their copyrights in the future. Mosaid has yet to officially do anything with the patents. But Google argued Mosaid plans to and said its complaint is a preemptive strike out of fear that Microsoft and Nokia will enforce patents by proxy and make Android OS unappealing to headset manufactures. Google points to a deal Mosaid made with Nokia in 2011 as proof of collusion. 

The deal included the transfer of 1,200 Nokia-related wireless patents to Mosaid from a company called Core Wireless. Google contends that Mosaid plans to use those recently acquired patents against competitors. "Mosaid believes that revenues from licensing, enforcing and monetising this wireless portfolio will surpass the company's total revenues since its formation in 1975," Mosaid wrote in a press release for the purchase in 2011. 

The complaint comes in the wake of a busy period in software patent litigation. Oracle recently lost a case against Google over the infringement of their Java software platform. While Apple and Samsung failed to come to a compromise over their patent feud.

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