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Tuesday, July 17, 2012, 12:08 pm

German court rules Motorola Xoom doesn't violate Apple's iPad patents

By Slash Lane

The Motorola Xoom tablet doesn't infringe on Apple's patented design for the iPad, a German court ruled on Tuesday.

Apple's lawsuit against Motorola was dismissed and Apple was denied its request to ban sales of the Xoom throughout the European Union, according to the Associated press. The Dusseldorf court also denied Motorola's request to invalidate Apple's community design rights for the iPad, which protect the distinctive appearance of products.

Motorola's courtroom victory isn't a major blow to Apple, as the Xoom, first released in 2011, has not had an impact on sales of the iPad. Since the launch of the Xoom, Motorola Mobility was purchased by Google for $12.5 billion.

Tuesday's outcome is similar to a U.S.-based decision from earlier this month, in which Judge Richard Posner dismissed Apple's patent infringement case against Motorola.

One key Apple-Motorola dispute that remains is with the U.S. International Trade Commission, which issued an initial ruling in April that deemed Apple violated one of four Motorola Mobility patents. The ITC has yet to review the ruling related to a Motorola Wi-Fi patent, but the commission's decision could possibly lead to an import ban on Apple products using Motorola technology.

Xoom

Motorola first sued Apple in 2010 for alleged infringement on a range of wireless communications patents. The iPhone maker filed a countersuit with the ITC but the commission ultimately cleared Motorola of any wrongdoing in March.
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