Miami judge accuses Apple and Google of improper use of court
Ongoing patent disputes, "a business strategy that appears to have no end"
A Miami judge has accused Apple and Google of making improper use of the court in their ongoing patent disputes.
Apple and Google's Motorola Mobility unit are currently engaged in patent disputes in a number of U.S. States. According to a report on Bloomberg, the case in Florida has ballooned since it was first filed in 2010, and is now composed of 180 claims relating to 12 separate patents with the meaning of more than 100 terms in active dispute.
However, in a court filing dated yesterday, U.S. District Judge Robert Scola called out both companies for their apparent refusal to move towards a resolution, labelling their conduct as, "obstreperous and cantankerous."
"The parties have no interest in efficiently and expeditiously resolving this dispute," he said. "They instead are using this and similar litigation worldwide as a business strategy that appears to have no end. That is not a proper use of this court.
"Without a hint of irony, the parties now ask the court to mop up a mess they made by holding a hearing to reduce the size and complexity of the case. The court declines this invitation."
Judge Scola has given Apple and Google four months to streamline the case or it will be placed on hold while the definitions of patent terms are resolved.