Microsoft filed a patent infringement action against Motorola on Friday over its Android-based smartphones.

 

“Microsoft filed an action today in the International Trade Commission and in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington against Motorola, Inc. for infringement of nine Microsoft patents by Motorola’s Android-based smartphones,” a statement by Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of Intellectual Property and Licensing for Microsoft read.

 

“The patents at issue relate to a range of functionality embodied in Motorola’s Android smartphone devices that are essential to the smartphone user experience, including synchronizing email, calendars and contacts, scheduling meetings, and notifying applications of changes in signal strength and battery power.”

 

This move comes as the company together with its manufacturing partners is about to launch its latest smartphones operating system, Windows Phone 7 OS, on a range of devices from Samsung, LG and HTC amongst others.

 

“We have a responsibility to our customers, partners, and shareholders to safeguard the billions of dollars we invest each year in bringing innovative software products and services to market. Motorola needs to stop its infringement of our patented inventions in its Android smartphones.”

 

Microsoft has also announced the appointment of three new presidents, following departures at the company. These are Kurt DelBene, who has been promoted to president of the Microsoft Office Division, Andy Lees has become president of the Mobile Communications Business and Don Mattrick was promoted to president of the Interactive Entertainment Business.