Google Strengthens Legal Stance With Numerous IBM Patents

Over 200 patents have been bought from IBM by Google recently as a way to protect Google offerings from possible future litigation.

Numerous aspects and technologies are discussed in these patents, such as:

• server infrastructure
• mobile phones
• wireless telephone systems
• databases
• near-field communications (NFC)

All of these patents are in addition to the existing 2,053 obtained via IBM by Google in the prior year. IBM aren't the only benefactors of Google's escalating patents purchases, as Motorola Mobility have also traded around 17,000 patents and 7000 patents pending, totalling $12.5 billion US (£7.7 billion). The acquisitions are still being reviewed by competition regulators. Google has also attempted to acquire an additional 6000 telecoms related patents from Nortel, but was unsuccessful in their bid.

Amongst one of the newest patents is one exclusively addressing "identifying common interests between users of the communication network", which is thought may well play a future role in Google+. Google's growing patents acquisitions have come about so as to defend itself against its competitors, which in turn Google accuses of buying up what it has labelled “bogus patents" so as to slow up the progression of Google's mobile operating system, Android.

Google currently have numerous legal disputes open with the likes of Oracle, Microsoft and Apple pertaining to a number of the technologies utilised within Android. Oracle are currently in dispute with Google about potential Andriod patent infringements.p>

There is currently massive competition in the industry with regards different operating systems, especially mobile variants. In an additional technology patents associated lawsuit earlier recently AT&T have been forced to compensate TiVo US$215 million, and also an extra undisclosed regular monthly licensing payment. Currently its expected that we now will witness more of these patents, application acquisitions and legal cases from the big players in the technology industry over the coming months. No terms had been unveiled from either Google or IBM regarding these most recent patents transfers.