Apple gets an injunction suspended in Germany

SHINY GADGET MAKER Apple has been granted a suspension of an injunction won by Motorola against its Iphone and Ipad in Germany.

Motorola Mobility had gained an injunction against Apple because it had failed to license one of Motorola's wireless patents. Apple had begun to comply with a court order granted in December by removing some devices from its online store in Germany. However, it has since been granted a suspension of the injunction after an appeal.

Alan Hely, a spokesman for Apple said, "All Ipad and Iphone models will be back on sale through Apple's online store in Germany shortly. Apple appealed this ruling because Motorola repeatedly refuses to license this patent to Apple on reasonable terms, despite having declared it an industry standard patent seven years."

At the time of writing the German Apple web site says the Iphone 4 and 3G are "not currently available", nor are the 3G models of the Ipad 2. The Iphone 4S and WiFi only versions of the Ipad 2 remain available, however.

If what Apple says is true then Motorola could face an antitrust investigation like we're seeing with Samsung.

Motorola has confirmed that another ruling is due soon over Apple's Icloud service. It said about the original ruling, "We are pleased that the Mannheim court has recognized the importance of our intellectual property and granted an enforceable injunction in Germany against Apple Sales International." We are waiting to hear back from both companies about these latest developments. µ