EU launches 2 antitrust probes against Motorola

(AP) BRUSSELS - The European Union's competition watchdog says it has opened two investigations into whether Motorola Mobility (MMI) is unfairly restricting competitors from accessing essential patents.

The formal investigations were announced Tuesday after Apple and Microsoft recently complained to the European Commission that Motorola Mobility was using injunctions against their key products - including the iPhone, iPad or Xbox - as a way of gaining an edge in the market for similar products.

Under EU law, companies that hold patents for technologies that are essential for industry standards have to make these available to rivals.

Standards ensure that devices from different producers can interact seamlessly with widely used networks, technologies and each other.

Motorola Mobility is based in Libertyville, Ill.