Tech Giants Microsoft and Google Settle Long Running Patent Feud For Mobiles And Video Games In U.S. And Germany

World's two largest tech giants Microsoft and Google settled their long running battle over more than 20 lawsuits in the US and Germany. The innovative technology firms also said they will be collaborate and try to work together on patents, revealed Bloomberg. There were several patent lawsuits in US and Germany between the two companies from mobiles to video games. The ongoing competition has been on for more than five years.

Google's former Motorola Mobility unit had been demanding royalties on the Xbox video-gaming system, and Microsoft had sought to block Motorola mobile phones from using certain features. Google had sold its division to Lenovo but kept its patents with itself.

Both the companies have not revealed any financial implications about the deal but have revealed that they will work together to strengthen the defence of intellectual property, said The Verge. According to the sources, related litigation included a breach of contract case in which Microsoft successfully argued that Motorola went too far when it asked for $4 billion in attempting to license patents that were essential to various standards.

A joint statement from the companies said, "Microsoft and Google were pleased to announce an agreement on patent issues. As part of the agreement, the companies will dismiss all pending patent infringement litigation between them, including cases related to Motorola Mobility." The statement also said, Google and Microsoft have agreed to collaborate on certain patent matters and anticipate working together in other areas in the future to benefit their customers.

Microsoft's goals for its patent licensing state that Google's Android operating system infringes many of its patents. It also believed that just about every company making Android devices should pay it royalties. Apart from Motorola, it also sued Kyocera earlier this year in its long list of companies sued for patent infringement, said ARSTechnica.