Google Accuses Nokia and Microsoft of mobile collusion, files antitrust complaint

Google, who purchased Motorola for patents and are being investigated for possibly abusing their patents in the EU are trying to shift the attention to Nokia and Microsoft.

Back in September, we heard how Nokia was using MOSAID to monetize Nokia’s intellectual property, asserting Nokia’s rights to their patents. Nokia’s IP helped bring in 600M from Apple last year as the Cupertino based giant was forced to pay for using Nokia developed technologies (some of which they tried to bypass by creating that external antenna and causing the antennagate death grip).

It’s worth noting that MOSAID has not sued Google, but Google calls this complaint a pre-emptive strike in case they do. If Nokia were to assert their IP rights, it could force manufacturers to produce WP instead of Android.  The whole point of google stuff is to give it away in hope to reclaim money through serving you adverts based on your personal data, gathered best by your usage of their free products. Some from the Apple camp then suggest it is a very clever way to ‘give away’ a stolen product because you’ll recoup money by people using it.  Most recently, Tim Cook was reported to have said “The worst thing in the world that can happen to you, is if you’re an engineer and you’ve given your life to something, is to have someone rip it off.”

Google has filed a formal complaint saying that this is Nokia and Microsoft working to raise the cost of phones for consumers. This apparently sidesteps promises the companies have made.

I guess for some, ripping off people is key to their business, such as the cloning of the popular iPhone with SGS and SGSII, riding on the coattails of iOS and propelling Sammy Droids to success. Were people forced to try to recreate their own original responses to everything, well then it might be harder and it might take longer to get anywhere :p.  In all seriousness, kudos to Sammy and Google for seeing what’s popular and adapting very quickly to continually realign their products. If only our own Nokia could be as quick and nimble to adapt to continually changing trends. Sniff out what’s popular, what’s in demand and create those products in time as well as creating the more unique products which force other people to adapt and copy you.

Sources:  ca.reuters.com / Engadget /  wsj

Category: Nokia