Google Aquires Motorola Mobility And Increases Patent Arsenal

Google announced plans to acquire Motorola Mobility this morning for $12.5 billion in cash. One of Google's biggest motivations appears to be to increase its patent profile, which has been under relentless attack by companies including Microsoft and Apple. With theAquisition of Motorola Mobility Google will gain control of more than 17,000 mobile-related patents worldwide, with 7,000 more Motorola patent applications in the pipeline. 

It's a situation reminiscent of the nuclear standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. But just as the threat of nuclear weapons didn't stop third-world guerillas during the Cold War or deter terrorists today, the patent arsenals are useless against "patent trolls" — companies that own patents but don't do actual research or development. Since they don't make anything themselves, they can't be the targets of patent suits, says Colleen Chien, assistant professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law.

Google is entering into direct competition with other equipment manufacturers that use Android, including HTC, Samsung. Chien says the move is to "put Google on a level playing field with other companies that have many more patents."

Sources: Ars Technica/AP