subject: Google bids $900 million for Nortel patents [print this page] Google bids $900 million for Nortel patents
San Francisco . Google Inc. stated Monday it absolutely was prepared to shell out $900 million for patents held by Nortel Networks Corp., the bankrupt communications technological innovation business.
The net search giant couched its bid being a pre-emptive strike to defend from patent litigation. It has often railed in opposition to frivolous patent lawsuits that it says stifle innovation. It has also advocated for patent litigation reform, although Congress has yet to act.
?If productive, we desire this portfolio is not going to only produce a disincentive for other people to sue Google, but also support us, our partners and also the open supply local community,? Kent Walker, senior vice president and standard counsel, wrote in a very firm blog site post.
Google is attempting to shore up a significant vulnerability as it tries to expand its Android cellular phone software program, which can be the world's most popular operating technique for handset makers and carriers, too as legions of computer software developers.
Nortel, the Canadian telecommunications-equipment maker that filed for bankruptcy safety in 2009, picked Google for the ?stalking horse? agreement, Nortel said in a very statement Monday. Which means Google's bid is a beginning point for that auction. The sale will include patents and patent purposes for wired, wireless and digital communications technology.
Analysts say Google, with its deep pockets and anemic patent portfolio, is wrestling having a major improve in patent litigation from so-called patent trolls and marketplace rivals. A serious patent portfolio such as the one particular from Nortel would give Google ammunition in these lawsuits.
In only the final twelve months, Google continues to be hit with 39 patent lawsuits involving its Android cellular telephone functioning software, patent specialist Florian Mueller mentioned.
Numerous with the lawsuits are high-profile, most notably the patent and copyright infringement lawsuit that software large Oracle Corp. introduced against Google in August about the Android software that utilizes technology that Oracle acquired when it bought Sun Microsystems Inc.
Sun's Java application lets builders publish software program that actually works on a selection of personal computers and systems and runs on mobile gadgets. Sun held a huge number of patents, but like Google backed open-source sharing. It cut licensing specials for Java, but also provided totally free variations.
Google's partners in Android have by now turn out to be the targets of patent violation claims. Apple Inc. is preparing to square off with Taiwan-based HTC Corp., the world's biggest maker of handsets making use of Google and Microsoft functioning techniques, just before the International Trade Commission. Apple is alleging that HTC infringed numerous patents, such as ones associated with mobile phones. HTC denies the claims.
