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At the request of several members of the public, the Federal Trade Commission has extended the time to submit public comments on the proposed settlement order concerning Google and Motorola Mobility LLC. (MMI) through February 22, 2013.  The comment period originally was scheduled to end on February 4, 2013.

The proposed order settles charges that Google reneged on prior commitments and pursued – or threatened to pursue – injunctions against companies that need to use MMI’s standard-essential patents in their devices and were willing to license them on “fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory,” or FRAND, terms.  Specifically, the company pursued injunctions in federal district court and at the United States International Trade Commission to block competing technology companies from using MMI standard-essential patents. Comments should be sent to:  FTC, Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580.  Comments also can be submitted electronically. 

The Commission vote approving the extension of the public comment period was 4-0-1, with Commissioner Joshua D. Wright recused.  (FTC File No. 111-0120; the staff contact is Peter Levitas, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2555; see press release dated January 3, 2013.)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action.  To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust{at}ftc{dot}gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 601 New Jersey Ave., Room 7117, Washington, DC 20001.  To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts.  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.