June 8, 2012 - U.S. District Judge Richard Posner tentatively dismissed a patent infringement case between Apple and Motorola Mobility, which is now owned by Google.
Judge Posner said he decided to dismiss the lawsuits because neither company presented enough evidence to make a case for damages and because imposing injunctions on either party would be contrary to the public interest.
"Injunctive relieve would impose costs disproportionate to the harm to the patentee and the benefit of the alleged infringement to the alleged infringer and would be contrary to the public interest," said Judge Posner, according to The Register. "I cannot find a basis for an award of injunctive relief."
Since the dismissal was tentative, it is possible that the trial may still be allowed to proceed. Or the case may be dismissed with prejudice, meaning neither side would be able to bring the same charges in a subsequent lawsuit.
Judge Posner plans to issue a full opinion within a week.