Motorola makes Apple pull some iPhones in Germany

Apple Inc. says it has withdrawn several iPhone and iPad models from its Internet store in Germany because of a legal dispute with Motorola Mobility.

The move is in response to a ruling Motorola won against Ireland-based Apple Sales International Inc., from a court in Mannheim, Germany. The court ruled that Apple should not be using Motorola's mobile technology in the devices without a license.

The dapd news agency reports that Apple withdrew the products but said that Motorola Mobility Inc. has refused to license the technology even though Motorola agreed it should be an industry standard.

The devices withdrawn are the iPhone 3G, the iPhone 3Gs and the iPhone4 and UMTS-capable iPads -- but not the iPhone 4S. The products are still available in bricks-and-mortar stores.

Motorola said in a statement that "we are pleased that the Mannheim court has recognized the importance of our intellectual property and granted an enforceable injunction in Germany against Apple Sales International."