Windows 7, Xbox May Be Banned In Germany

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Motorola Mobility won the latest round against Microsoft in an ongoing patent dispute that has spanned multiple jurisdictions across several countries.

The Mannheim Regional Court in Germany ruled Wednesday that Microsoft's Windows 7, Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, and Xbox products violate Motorola patents related to video compression.

The ruling gives Motorola the right to ask for ban on the importation and sale of those products in Germany, a market that is worth billions of dollars to Microsoft. However, a judge overseeing a related case in U.S. District Court in Seattle previously ordered Motorola not to seek such a ban until the U.S. case is resolved.

Microsoft said that, despite the ruling, it's business as usual in Germany. "Motorola is prohibited in acting on today's decision, and our business in Germany will continue as usual while we appeal this decision and pursue the fundamental issue of Motorola's broken promise," said a Microsoft spokesperson.

Motorola did not immediately issue a statement.

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