Tech giant Apple has been forced to disable its push email feature for German users after losing a patent dispute.
The move comes as Apple faces a number of patent disputes across the world, including in Asia over the trademark for its “iPad” name.
Earlier this month a German court ruled that Apple’s push-email tech violated patents owned by Motorola – at the time Apple said it would appeal the decision.
While push email has been turned off, Apple has posted instructions on its website for users on how to retrieve their email using other means.
“Due to recent patent litigation by Motorola Mobility, iCloud and MobileMe users are currently unable to have iCloud and MobileMe email pushed to their iOS devices while located within the borders of Germany,” the company said on its website.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
