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March 8th, 2013, 06:18 GMT · By

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Microsoft Trying to Get Google Maps Banned in Germany

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Microsoft seeks a ban on Google Maps in Germany Enlarge picture - Microsoft seeks a ban on Google Maps in Germany
Microsoft is really keen on taking revenge against Google after the search company tipped off the European antitrust regulators over its browser ballot, so the software giant is now trying to get Google Maps banned in Germany.

According to a report released by FOSS Patents, Microsoft claims that Google Maps infringes a patent granted in 1996 that covers a “computer system for identifying local resources and method therefor.” Microsoft says that Google is in violation of that patent with their Google Maps service.

As far as the Redmond-based software vendor is concerned, Google is violating its patent, so Google Maps must be banned as soon as possible in Germany.

In case this happens, Google would be forced to restrict access to basically all Maps services, not only on desktop and laptop computers, but also on mobile phones and tablets.

We’ve contacted Microsoft for a word on this, so we’ll update the story when and if we get an answer.

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READER COMMENTS:


Comment #1 by: StanTheMan on 13 Apr 2013, 20:05 UTC reply to this comment

This is a huge threat to Google Maps ... Microsoft says that it won't agree on a settlement with Google that covers only Germany, but wants a world-wide settlement or it wants an injunction banning/blocking Google Maps from smartphones.  Microsoft's patent seems solid, if not air-tight. 
http://www.fosspatents.com/2013/03/google-about-to-lose-patent-spat-with.html

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