Microsoft Corp and Google Inc's Motorola Mobility unit have requested a
federal judge in Seattle to keep secret from the public various details
from their recent trial concerning the value of technology patents and
the two companies' attempts at a settlement.
Microsoft and Motorola,
acquired by Google earlier this year, are preparing post-trial briefs to
present to a judge as he decides the outcome of a week-long trial last
month to establish what rates Microsoft should pay Motorola for use of
standard, essential wireless technology used in its Xbox game console
and other products.
The case is just one strand of litigation in
an industry-wide dispute over ownership of the underlying technology and
the design of smartphones, which has drawn in Apple Inc, Samsung
Electronics Co Ltd, Nokia and others.
In a filing with the Western
District of Washington federal court in Seattle on Friday, Microsoft
and Motorola asked the judge to allow them to file certain parts of
their post-trial submissions under seal and redact those details in the
public record.
The details concern terms of Motorola's licenses
with third parties and Microsoft's business and marketing plans for
future products. During the trial, which ran from November 13-20, U.S.
District Judge James Robart cleared the court when such sensitive or
trade secret details were discussed.
"For the same compelling
reasons that the court sealed this evidence for purposes of trial, it
would be consistent and appropriate to take the same approach in
connection with the parties' post-trial submissions," the two companies
argued in the court filing.
The judge has so far been
understanding of the companies' desire to keep private details of their
patent royalties and future plans, although that has perplexed some
spectators who believe trials in public courts should be fully open to
the public.
In addition, Motorola asked the judge to seal some
documents relating to settlement negotiations between the two companies,
arguing that keeping those details secret would encourage openness in
future talks and make a settlement more likely.
Judge Robart is not expected to rule on the case until the new year.
The case in U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington is Microsoft Corp. vs. Motorola Inc., 10-cv-1823.
© Thomson Reuters 2012