According to a Bloomberg report, staff members of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are formally recommending to commissioners that Google be sued for violations of antitrust law. The report cites four unnamed people “familiar with the matter,” and states that the final decision on the case will come sometime after election day on November 6.
The FTC investigation stems from Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility, in which it also inherited a civil investigative demand from the FTC. It all stems from complaints by companies, including Microsoft and Apple, that Motorola was not offering essential patent licensing at reasonable prices. At the time, Google claimed it would honor fair licensing practices, but continued Motorola Mobility’s lawsuit against the companies.
The Motorola Mobility lawsuit could prevent consumer electronics products from companies such as Apple and Google from being imported in the U.S. According to Bloomberg, Motorola originally had asked for 2.25% of the price of each product for the use of its standard essential patents. The suing companies rejected the offer, with Apple reportedly stating that the technology is only worth $1 per unit.
Last month, it was reported that four of five FTC commissioners support antitrust action against Google, and that the FTC’s decision could come sometime in late November or early December. Soon after, Colorado Congressman Jared Polis sent a letter to FTC chairman Jon Leibowitz warning the commission against suing Google.