Google Maps is still banned in Germany as the country’s legal authorities are in the middle of concluding a case against the search engine giant. What is the entire argument about? As usual, it is a patent battle where none of the parties are willing to cooperate with one another.

Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents reported from Munich Court today that the odds are shifting against Google. However, nothing can be said until the court has passed out a ruling once and for all. Extracts of Florian’s reports are appended below:

“Judge Dr. Matthias Zigann of the Munich I Regional Court just told Google and its Motorola Mobility subsidiary in no uncertain terms that his court is at this point (prior to counsel’s argument on claim construction, infringement and validity) inclined to hold Google Inc., its subsidiary Motorola Mobility LLC and MMI’s German subsidiary liable for infringement of a key Microsoft patent, EP0845124 on a “computer system for identifying local resources and method therefor”, which is the European equivalent of U.S. Patent No. 6,240,360.”

Florian Mueller has been on the Microsoft consultancy panel in the past. If Microsoft succeeds, it would mean trouble for Google because the Google Map app and anything associated with it will be completely banned for life in Germany.

As of now, Google spokespersons are declining to comment. “We are confident in our position and looking forward to defending our case in the court.” That’s all you can get out from Google reps for the time being. The case is expected to reach a final decision in June/ July 2013. Until then, both Google and rival patent authorities will be proceeding with evidence gathering and filing new briefs against one another.