The Federal Trade Commission, FTC has allegedly issued a civil investigative demand, which is similar to a subpoena to Google. FTC is investigating whether Google's Motorola Mobility unit is illegally blocking access to industry-standard technology, which must be licensed to competitors according to traditional industry and legal practice.

The issue entails frand patents that stands for- fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory, covering technology essential to the smooth functioning of an industry. This is based on the idea of fair licensing of intellectual property which is often required because sometimes certain patents and ideas have to be shared in order for things to work properly. This kind of quid pro quo agreement between companies producing technology ensures technology at a fair price.

The government is allegedly hunting for information from Apple and Microsoft as both these companies have been lamenting over Google and Motorola Mobility's compliance to the stated rules. However, news of a U. S. International Trade Commission judge imposing ban on Microsoft's Xbox console into other states as it infringed on Motorola patents is getting a lot of attention. But with this ruling, the Federal Trade Commission in a letter sent to the ITC said, imposing bans on Apple iPhone and Xbox could cause substantial harm to competition, consumers and innovation.