Microsoft Sues Motorola Before Launching Phone

Patent lawsuit could be a message to Google
By Jeff Rutowski,  Newser User
Posted Oct 2, 2010 1:44 PM CDT Posted Oct 2, 2010 1:44 PM CDT
Promoted on Newser Oct 2, 2010 3:10 PM CDT
Microsoft Readies New Phone, Sues Competition
A file photo of Microsoft's Steve Ballmer.   (AP)

If you can't beat 'em, sue 'em instead. That seems to be Microsoft's latest attempt to make inroads into the mobile phone market as it gets ready to launch its Microsoft Phone 7. In addition to planning to spend $500 million on advertising for the new device, it's decided to sue Motorola for patent infringement.

Motorola used to make phones with the Microsoft operating system but has put all of its eggs into the Google Android Operating System basket. Microsoft has been struggling in the mobile phone market and continues to lose market share, while Apple and Google have been aggressive with the iPhone and Android phones. Microsoft's most recent flub was its Kin phone, which was targeted to the youth market. The company pulled the plug on it in June. More at the BigNewsNow blog.
(More Microsoft stories.)

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