Microsoft kicked off its trial at the International Trade Commission (ITC) on Monday.

The software giant accused Motorola Mobility of infringing seven patents that the company holds. Microsoft is asking the ITC to block imports of some Motorola Android phones in the United States. The company is bullish in its claims and is confident the ITC will agree that Motorola has infringed the patents. David Howard, Microsoft’s corporate vice president and deputy general counsel for litigation, revealed the company’s feelings in an email statement to Bloomberg news agency on Monday. “We have a responsibility to our employees, customers, partners and shareholders to safeguard our intellectual property,” said Howard. “Motorola is infringing our patents and we are confident that the ITC will rule in our favor.”

Microsoft’s claims center around mobile phone patents which is slowly becoming the battle ground for Google, Apple and Microsoft. Google announced earlier this month that it plans to acquire Motorola Mobility for $ 12.5 billion. Google CEO Larry Page noted at the time of the deal announcement that Microsoft and Apple are “banding together in anti-competitive patent attacks on Android.” Citing recent patent auctions, Page expects that Google’s acquisition will help protect Android in the future. A number of analysts believe Google’s deal could be beneficial to Microsoft’s Windows Phone, creating more competition between the three major smartphone operating systems.

Microsoft’s Motorola ITC case is ongoing and the administrative law judge, Theodore Essex, will release his initial findings in the case on November 4. The commission will complete its full investigation by March 5. Microsoft is seeking to block imports of the Droid 2, Droid X, Cliq XT, Devour, Blackflip and Charm.

Microsoft attempts to block sale of Motorola’s Android phones originally appeared at WinRumors.com.

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