Google Files Antitrust Complaints Against Microsoft, Nokia
Google has filed an antitrust complaint with the European Commission against Microsoft and Nokia, its its competitors in the smartphone market, alleging they are using patents to hurt its Android business.
The complaint alleges that Nokia and Microsoft are partnering with other companies to enforce their patents related to smartphones and split the resulting revenue.
Google said that threat poses a risk for its Android partners and could force them to jump ship to Windows Phone instead.
The search company said it sent a copy of its complaint to officials at the Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. as well.
"Google is complaining about patents when it won't respond to growing concerns by regulators, elected officials and judges about its abuse of standard-essential patents, and it is complaining about antitrust in the smartphone industry when it controls more than 95% of mobile search and advertising," Microsoft said in a statement. "This seems like a desperate tactic on their part."
Nokia said that Google's suggestion that Nokia and Microsoft were colluding on intellectual property rights was wrong, adding that both companies operate independently.
Nokia also claims that some Android devices had significant intellectual property infringement issues relating to Nokia's patents.
Google said that threat poses a risk for its Android partners and could force them to jump ship to Windows Phone instead.
The search company said it sent a copy of its complaint to officials at the Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. as well.
"Google is complaining about patents when it won't respond to growing concerns by regulators, elected officials and judges about its abuse of standard-essential patents, and it is complaining about antitrust in the smartphone industry when it controls more than 95% of mobile search and advertising," Microsoft said in a statement. "This seems like a desperate tactic on their part."
Nokia said that Google's suggestion that Nokia and Microsoft were colluding on intellectual property rights was wrong, adding that both companies operate independently.
Nokia also claims that some Android devices had significant intellectual property infringement issues relating to Nokia's patents.