Google just filed a formal complaint with the European Commission stating that Microsoft and Nokia have conspired to use their patents against smartphone industry rivals.
1) Everyone in the smartphone industry could be considered rivals.
2) Smartphone oriented patents are generally violated by smartphone manufacturers.
In conclusion, of course they are going to use their patents against smartphone industry rivals. If you don't like it, don't violate the patent. If the patent is stupid, contest it. If you think the patent industry is broken (like many), you should probably do something to raise awareness so it can be fixed. Baring more information to the contrary, it appears Microsoft and Nokia are playing by the rules. If you don't like the rules, say so. Making statements like this to attack other companies does nothing to fix the real problem.
Google described its filing as a pre-emptive measure against a developing legal hazard for Android partners. The company wants to prevent a possible threat that could push its partners into using Windows Phone instead.
If the patents being violated are trivial, you don't really have anything to worry about. If you are really so concerned that partners will be pushed into using Windows Phone instead, then a better pre-emptive measure would have been to work around the patents rather than wait until you are caught.
The search engine giant said that Nokia is betraying its previous commitments to open-source software -- which uses collective engineering -- by colluding with Microsoft and Mosaid.
It isn't about abandoning a commitment to Open Source. They abandoned a platform that they didn't see a future in (the wisdom of which is still in question). The platform they chose to move forward (right or wrong) was a closed source OS.
It's also betraying the protection of essential technologies from legal threats.
If they have FRAND patents that they are using improperly, name them. They deserve any negative publicity they get and should get nowhere in court. If this is pure speculation on your part, you deserve the negative publicity.
"Nokia and Microsoft are colluding to raise the costs of mobile devices for consumers ..."
Windows Phones and Nokia Windows phones in particular are currently among the cheaper smartphones out there. They don't really have the market share to push a price hike in mobile devices. Perhaps you meant Android devices.
"... creating patent trolls that side-step promises both companies have made,"
As a note, FRAND obligations move with the patent. They don't just disappear. So ... what promises are they trying to sidestep? I'll believe you and look into it. If you already have details, why should I search blindly. If you don't have any details, then this seems a lot like when politicians throw out an accusations at opponents during campaigning to divert peoples attention from their own actions. Though, they seem more practiced at it as they actually give enough detail to get people interested.
Sorry Google, but unless you are willing to cough up more details to the contrary, this sounds not unlike a kindergartener who copied another kids assignment and got mad at the other kid when he told on him. I suspect the complaint isn't as ridiculous as it sounds here, but the burden of proof is on you.
Maybe if Nokia comes to their senses and produce a nice Android or Meego phone... I'll be a customer once again.
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