Google Snagged by Skyhook
September 21, 2010
We are not legal eagles, but the Skyhook matter is interesting.
Our question: Is Google entangled into legal issues because of its size; is it really intimidating others with its power; or is it just too big to manage? This giant Internet entity has been into a few controversies in recent times, and it is now again in the line of fire. “Skyhook Sues Google Over Patents, Interference,” reports the OSNews site, about the hook snagged in Googzilla’s carapace. Skyhook Wireless is a company providing device location determination technology services to mobile manufacturers, something that can ascertain the location of a cell phone within 20 to 30 meters accuracy.
This service is the bone of contention. Google has come up with a similar service integrated with its Android OS. Though both the companies use their own version of technologies; Skyhook relies on cell towers, WiFi access points and GPS, whereas Google does it through Google Maps and Google Latitude. Yet Skyhook claims:
Google violated four of its patents relating to location services.” But there’s more behind the curtain, as Skyhook blames Google of issuing, “a ‘stop-ship’ order for Motorola Android devices using Skyhook’s technologies,” claims the news report. The Motorola Android-based Smartphone were to use Skyhook’s XPS location technology starting April this year, reveals Skyhook, and directly accusing Google of interfering, which led to a loss of “millions of dollars in royalties provided under the Motorola Contract.
How much of this is really true will come into light only as the events unfold? Is Skyhook trying to tighten its grip on Motorola? Litigation is expensive and risky. Perhaps this is a misunderstanding or a a simple case of competition. Google, as always, has cash and is an big target.
Harleena Singh, September 21, 2010
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