ADVERTISING BROKER Google has told a US International Trade Commission (ITC) administrative judge that Microsoft revealed "highly confidential source code" to one of Microsoft's "experts".
Microsoft is in a bitter battle against Motorola over the use of Google's Android operating system. While Google hasn't been named in that lawsuit, by going after Motorola, Microsoft is in effect really battling Google. So it is no surprise that soon after Microsoft went to the ITC, Motorola fired back, mostly likely with Google's blessing.
Now Google has told an ITC administrative judge that Microsoft's 'expert', Robert Stevenson, was shown confidential source code without disclosing him to Google. Google claims that this action broke the terms of a confidentiality agreement signed between the two firms saying that each other must disclose "any consultant or expert seeking access to Google confidential business information or highly confidential source code before allowing a consultant or expert to review such information so that Google has an opportunity to object prior to disclosure".
Google has asked the ITC to disqualify Stevenson from testifying at the evidentiary hearing. The firm also wants Microsoft to provide, under oath, a declaration that it has not otherwise violated the terms of the confidentiality agreement between the two firms.
Microsoft has been trying to get device manufacturers to pay it a license fee for every Android device it ships. Its biggest customer so far is HTC, however if Motorola loses its case, it could give Microsoft the win it needs to convince others handset makers to pay up rather than face costly litigation
Microsoft is in a bitter battle against Motorola over the use of Google's Android operating system. While Google hasn't been named in that lawsuit, by going after Motorola, Microsoft is in effect really battling Google. So it is no surprise that soon after Microsoft went to the ITC, Motorola fired back, mostly likely with Google's blessing.
Now Google has told an ITC administrative judge that Microsoft's 'expert', Robert Stevenson, was shown confidential source code without disclosing him to Google. Google claims that this action broke the terms of a confidentiality agreement signed between the two firms saying that each other must disclose "any consultant or expert seeking access to Google confidential business information or highly confidential source code before allowing a consultant or expert to review such information so that Google has an opportunity to object prior to disclosure".
Google has asked the ITC to disqualify Stevenson from testifying at the evidentiary hearing. The firm also wants Microsoft to provide, under oath, a declaration that it has not otherwise violated the terms of the confidentiality agreement between the two firms.
Microsoft has been trying to get device manufacturers to pay it a license fee for every Android device it ships. Its biggest customer so far is HTC, however if Motorola loses its case, it could give Microsoft the win it needs to convince others handset makers to pay up rather than face costly litigation
