Mobile patent wars: Google goes on the attack [LWN.net]

Mobile patent wars: Google goes on the attack

Posted Aug 23, 2012 1:41 UTC (Thu) by rahvin (subscriber, #16953)
In reply to: Mobile patent wars: Google goes on the attack by drag
Parent article: Mobile patent wars: Google goes on the attack

It doesn't seem that way to me.

I can see how you read a difference in opinion in what I wrote (I was exhausted when I wrote it), but I actually feel the same way. I was simply trying to use softer language and focus on the fact that the protection racket (your term) that is FRAND breached the patent truce that existed to keep small players out of the market while not materially harming the major players.

It's that breach that's ultimately either going to destroy the entire market (and run the risk of political change to the patent system) or result in a reestablishment of the protection racket with apple participating in the protection racket. But that will only work when Apple is willing to put their patents into the FRAND pools. I've always had the impression that Apple would be more willing to burn the entire mobile market to the ground rather than give up the lawsuits to try to slow Android's momentum.

I'll also note that this is the argument that Google made in one of their more recent filings in the Apple trial, essentially that if Apple is allowed to license FRAND patents but not put theirs in the pool the pools will go away and its going to be a very bloody patent fight for everyone involved. Essentially if Apple can license but not contribute FRAND goes away because no one will contribute to the pool because Apple can unfairly use the pools against those that contribute.

People might not be aware but MS has already purchased a license to these Apple patents (probably to help fund Apple's attack on Android).

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Mobile patent wars: Google goes on the attack

Posted Aug 23, 2012 15:52 UTC (Thu) by raven667 (subscriber, #5198) [Link]

> I've always had the impression that Apple would be more willing to burn the entire mobile market to the ground rather than give up the lawsuits to try to slow Android's momentum.

I see this too and it seems totally insane to me, there is no good outcome that can come of these lawsuits. I was hoping that when Steve Jobs passed the new CEO would stop the madness but that isn't happening.

Mobile patent wars: Google goes on the attack

Posted Aug 24, 2012 6:07 UTC (Fri) by rahvin (subscriber, #16953) [Link]

At some point all these suits will close and the results going to be the banning of nearly every consumer tablet and phone. When the iPhone and iPad get pulled off the shelves and Apple revenue falls by 95% they will change tune. But it's unfortunate they can't see that coming. Like you, I'd hoped Cook would have made that his first action after Jobs died but he doesn't seem to have the cojones to stop something Jobs started.

Maybe that's MS's grand plan, as they've went around licensing all the patents maybe it's their intention to be the only devices still on the shelves.