The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has finally reached a settlement agreement with Google.
“Google hasn’t had much to show for its acquisition of Motorola and the Federal Trade Commission is making sure it stays that way,” BGR observed after the announcement was made.
According to the shared details, Google will license standard-essential patents that it has obtained from Motorola under FRAND terms.
Google, as MMW previously reported, had once faced charges from the FTC asserting that the search giant’s business practices could limit the competition among competing electronic device manufacturers.
The FTC, however, now says that the agreement in place “strikes a balance” that enables Google to negotiate FRAND rates while protecting outside parties from “opportunistic behavior” that doesn’t align with the principles of FRAND.
“An implementer can negotiate licensing terms without facing the threat of an injunction, but Google is not barred from responding to an implementer that misuses the protections in the order to delay rather than facilitate entering into a FRAND license,” the FTC announced.
“In addition,” the notice concluded, “Google has recourse if an implementer refuses to take steps to obtain a FRAND license, or to enter into a license after a FRAND rate is determined. Like any other licensor, Google also has the right to seek treble damages for willful infringement.”
