Google Buys Over 1,000 Patents From IBM, Not All Are Mobile-Related
The folks who are responsible for Android’s success are looking to protect their investment as they have bought even more patents in an attempt to protect themselves and their partners. Google and IBM reached a deal where Google would receive over 1,000 patents, 1,030 to be exact.
These patents aim to help Google in several different avenues “from the fabrication and architecture of memory and microprocessing chips, to other areas of computer architecture including servers and routers as well. A number of the patents also cover relational databases, object oriented programming, and a wide array of business processes.”
Some of that could help Google in mobile and a lot of it might not. It’s a start, though. Google had hoped to secure even more relevant patents to help them keep the attack dogs away from Android as they had hoped to cash in on Nortel’s patent portfolio, but they were outbid by a group made of Apple, Microsoft, RIM, Sony and others.
The portfolio would have gotten Google over 6,000 patents – many of which would help them in mobile – to shield themselves from the death rays of big, evil corporate lawyers. This is a good step into another direction, though, and we’re hoping Google continues to find their way in the patent space thanks to the special team they’ve formed not too long ago for these very reasons. [CNN]