[JulieSmithdccd]

By Dan Levine and Jessica Dye | Sat Jun 23, 2012 12:36am EDT

(Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Friday ruled that Apple Inc cannot pursue an injunction against Google's
Motorola Mobility unit, effectively ending a key case for the iPhone maker in the smartphone patent wars.

The ruling came from Judge Richard Posner in Chicago federal court. He dismissed the litigation between Apple
and Motorola Mobility with prejudice, meaning it can't be refiled.

The ruling is a blow for Apple, which had hoped a decisive ruling against Motorola would help it gain an upper
hand in the smartphone market against Android.



Apple had sought an injunction barring the sale of Motorola products using Apple's patented technology. But in
Friday's ruling, Posner wrote that neither party is entitled to an injunction.

Since Motorola could design around the minor technological features covered by Apple's patents, an injunction
would be an inappropriate windfall for Apple, Posner wrote.

Posner also said that Apple had not clearly demonstrated that Motorola phones caused a loss of consumer goodwill
significant enough for an injunction.

Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet declined to comment on the ruling. Motorola Mobility spokeswoman Jennifer
Erickson said the company was pleased that Posner dismissed Apple's case.

Both parties have the option to appeal Posner's ruling.