Last week entering the fray, British Telecom giant has become the fifth major technology firm to file a patent infringement case against Google, alleging that Google services such as Android Market, Google Maps, Google Search, Google+, and Google Offers violate six of the telephone company’s patents owned by British Telecom.
However, some other popular high-tech firms like Apple, Microsoft, Oracle and eBay have previously taken shots at the search titan over patents of a similar nature.
The suit claims that a wide array of Google’s services have infringed on a number of patents including ones that cover systems for navigation information, service provision system for communications networks, and telecommunications apparatus and method. Even Google Maps and social network Google+ is not immune to the claim.
Moreover, BT will not be an easy contender to face in the courts. Having said that, not only does BT hold the status as the world’s oldest telecoms company, its patent collection holds more than 10,000 patents, according to the court document.
The patents infringed includes: Google Music and Android were quoted by BT as examples of Google’s violation of U.S. Patent No. 6,151,309 for service provision system for communication networks, also referred to in the suit as the Busuioc patent. This patent is “directed to systems and methods for accessing content in a mobile environment where network constraints vary across networks”.
According to CNET reports, a Google spokesperson rebuffed BT’s assertions, saying: “We believe these allegations are without merit, and we will defend vigorously against them.”
Amazingly, at least one patent observer guesses the lawsuits may force Google to make changes to how it distributes the OS to device makers. Android is at the center of a number of patent disputes involving large companies including Oracle and Apple.
“With so many major patent holders maintaining their rights, obligations to pay royalties may force Google to change its Android licensing model and pass royalties on to device makers,” Florian Mueller wrote in a Foss Patents blog post.
Google was not immediately available for comment on the suit.
The complaint can be found here.