FTC extends deadline for Google's Motorola patent deal feedback

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has extended the period for public comment on its proposed settlement with Google over the search giant's handling of Motorola Mobility patents.

The commission said that the deadline for the period, originally slated for 4 February, would be extended to 22 February. According to the Commission, individuals had asked the commission to provide more time to prepare and submit their comments on the proposed deal.

First announced on 3 January, the settlement would end litigation between the FTC and Google over the way the company handled intellectual property it obtained with the acquisition of Motorola Mobility.

According to the FTC, Google failed honour its promise to offer Motorola patents to competitors under the Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (Frand) licensing guidelines which cover patents associated with industry standard platforms.

The patents in question would cover the tablet, smartphone and games console markets, according to the Commission.

At the time, the FTC said that the settlement would help to ensure that Google co-operated with Frand regulations going forward.

"The changes Google has agreed to make will ensure that consumers continue to reap the benefits of competition in the online marketplace and in the market for innovative wireless devices they enjoy," FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said in January.

"This was an incredibly thorough and careful investigation by the Commission, and the outcome is a strong and enforceable set of agreements."

Google has had a number of run-ins with the FTC in recent years. In addition to its patent practices, the company has been charged with misusing its status in the search market.