Motorola vs. Apple: 3G IPhones And IPads Banned In Germany

With Apple suing everyone, right, left and center on an international scale for seemingly vague patent infringements, you could be forgiven for thinking that Cupertino has everything its own way. The latest news shows that simply isn’t the case. In the country where Apple successfully banned the Galaxy Tab, Motorola has now upped the ante and sued the company for infringements on its 3G technology patent.

This method of connecting to 3G is found in all iPhones preceding the iPhone 4S and is inside the 3G equipped iPads. The court in Mannheim ruled in Moto’s favor and declared a ban on all 3G enabled iPhones released before the 4S (3G, 3GS and 4) as well as the 3G tablets. Since redesigning the phones isn’t a practical option, Apple may be resigned to having to license the patent in order to continue selling them in Germany.

Apple will almost certainly appeal the decision, but I don’t think it’s likely to be overturned. The company will have to stump up the cash to keep the iPhones in the country. Even though I’m obviously a fan of its products, Apple’s anti-competitive lawsuit mongering has irritated me, and I must say, it’s quiet refreshing to see this decision go against the untouchable tech firm.