A court in Germany has ruled that Motorola infringed on a Microsoft patent, prompting the Redmond company to call again on the Google-owned company to join other makers of Android devices in licensing Microsoft’s patent portfolio.

The ruling is the latest development in a global patent battle between the companies. Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility this year upped the stakes. Today’s ruling deals with a type of system that helps mobile phone keyboards communicate with apps. Previous decisions in Microsoft’s favor have involved ActiveSync email technology and SMS messaging.

“We’re pleased this decision builds on previous rulings in Germany that have already found Motorola is broadly infringing Microsoft’s intellectual property,” said David Howard, a Microsoft deputy general counsel, in a statement issued by the company. “We will continue to enforce injunctions against Motorola products in Germany and hope Motorola will join other Android device makers by taking a license to Microsoft’s patented inventions.”

Google can appeal the latest ruling. We’ve asked the company for comment on the decision.

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