Microsoft lodges EU complaint against Motorola

[February 23, 2012]  BRUSSELS (AP) -- Microsoft says it has lodged a formal complaint with the European Union's competition regulator against Google's Motorola Mobility.

In a blog post, Microsoft's General Counsel Dave Heiner said Wednesday "We have taken this step because Motorola is attempting to block sales of Windows PCs, our Xbox game console and other products."

Heiner says Motorola is unfairly trying to block Microsoft and other companies from using standardized patents it needs for its products to connect wirelessly to the Internet.

Google last year bought Motorola Mobility, the largest acquisition in its history.

When the EU cleared the takeover this month, it indicated concerns over Motorola's aggressive use of patent rights against competitors. Last week, Apple lodged a similar complaint with the E.U. against Motorola Mobility.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.