Judge throws out entire Apple vs Motorola case

It's all over in the ongoing legal battle between Apple and Motorola after a judge threw their case out of court. Judge Richard Posner had tentatively dismissed it a couple of weeks ago, but now he's done so in its entirety.

Apple alleged Motorola had violated four of its patents, with Motorola claiming one in return, The Verge reports. The case has been going on since 2010, making this latest development quite a big deal as tech legal spats go.

Posner dismissed it because neither side could prove how much money the alleged patent infringements have cost them. And with both companies asking for financial compensation, it'd be pointless blocking products from sale.

"Both companies have deep pockets," Posner says in his 38-page decision. "And neither had acknowledged that damages for the infringement of its patents could not be estimated with tolerable certainty."

Apple declined to comment, but Motorola said in a statement: "We are pleased that Judge Posner formally dismissed the case against Motorola Mobility. Apple's litigation campaign began with their attempt to assert 15 patents against us. As it relates to Apple's violation of our patents, we will continue our efforts to defend our own innovation."

Apple could appeal, but I don't fancy its chances. Judge Posner warned Apple's lawyers about filing too many motions last month, so he's not one for shilly-shallying.

The patent disputes have spanned both sides of the Atlantic, with Motorola succeeding in having some Apple devices banned from sale in Germany. Though that was overturned pretty quickly. Apple won the dispute over the slide-to-unlock patent though, with Motorola infringing on its devices except for the Xoom.

I think the ruling is good news, as hopefully it'll dissuade companies from firing writs at each other at the drop of a hat. Now Apple and Google (which owns Motorola) can get back to making great products.

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