17 Feb 2012

Apple Wins Dispute Over "Slide-to-Unlock" Feature

Apple has won a permanent injunction against Motorola Mobility in Germany over the slide to unlock feature used in their smartphones.

In this case, Apple has secured another injunction against an Android manufacturer in a war that is hotting up over the market share competing companies can gain.

With Android now leading he field in terms of smartphone market penetration, Apple is fighting back in trying to create a differential between its offers and that of Android based phones.

Commenting about the injunction, a spokesperson from Motorola stated: "Today's ruling in the patent litigation brought by Apple in Munich, Germany, concerns a software feature related to phone unlocking in select Motorola devices sold in Germany.”

With the way recently cleared by Eu and US regulators for Google to take over Motorola Mobility, it will be interesting to see how the case develops as Motorola said it would be appealing against the ruling.

The case that was brought by Apple had three elements to it. The first was ruled out but Apple succeeded on the others.

It will be a particularly important ruling, because the removal of the slide to unlock feature would result in a significant inconvenience to Android users if it were removed. As such other Android users including HTC and Samsung will also be affected and could face similar suits in the near future.

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