Patent Dispute Could Lead to Xbox 360 Being Banned in Germany

A patent dispute involving Microsoft and Motorola could see a number of Microsoft products banned in Germany, including the Xbox 360.

This dispute involves Microsoft’s use of H.264 video compression technology. The block Motorola want to impose also effects Windows 7, Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player.

Last month Microsoft moved its European distribution centre from Germany to the Netherlands, obviously seeing where the situation was heading.

In a statement released to today Microsoft had this to say:

“This is one step in a long process, and we are confident that Motorola will eventually be held to its promise to make its standard essential patents available on fair and reasonable terms for the benefit of consumers who enjoy video on the web. Motorola is prohibited from acting on today’s decision, and our business in Germany will continue as usual while we appeal this decision and pursue the fundamental issue of Motorola’s broken promise.”

A similar issue last year caused a European distribution ban on Sony’s PlayStation 3, the dispute over Blu Ray playback technology was eventually resolved and things went back to normal, in all likelihood the same will happen with Microsoft.