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You are here: MacNN Forums > News > Tech News > Google unveils new scheme to acquire unwanted patents

Google unveils new scheme to acquire unwanted patents
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NewsPoster
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Apr 28, 2015, 07:12 AM
 
Google is starting up a new experimental program where it will acquire patents from inventors and companies wishing to sell. The Patent Purchase Promotion is framed by the search company as a way for it to "remove friction from the patent market" caused through the sale of unwanted patents to non-practicing entities, also known as "patent trolls," and the ensuing litigation.

Starting from May 8 and running until May 22, Google will open up a portal for patent holders to advise the company of patents they wish to sell, as well as a price. After the portal closes, it will review submissions and contact submitters about a possible acquisition by June 26. Following "additional due diligence," Google aims to complete all transactions of patents it is interested in by late August. Due to the nature of patent sales, Google stresses that there's some "fine print" potential sellers need to fully understand, encourages participants to speak with an attorney, and that it reserves the right to step away from the transaction "for any reason."

"By simplifying the process and having a concentrated submission window, we can focus our efforts into quickly evaluating patent assets and getting responses back to potential sellers quickly," writes Deputy General Counsel for Patents Allen Lo. "Hopefully this will translate into better experiences for sellers, and remove the complications of working with entities such as patent trolls."

While Google has a vested interest in acquiring potentially damaging patents before more litigious companies get hold of them and start suing the company, the byproduct of the process does mean that Google will be increasing its considerable collection of patents. Though this does give Google more legal protection from trolls, it also gives the company more ammunition if it wanted to sue its competitors.
( Last edited by NewsPoster; Apr 28, 2015 at 08:11 AM. )
     
djbeta
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Apr 28, 2015, 07:15 AM
 
So, you're effectively becoming the biggest patent troll of them all. Good job not being evil, Google.

You guys really suck.
     
prl99
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Apr 28, 2015, 09:18 AM
 
editor: You start by trying to make Google look like the good guy by having them buy up the patents instead of a patent troll but nowhere in your article do you state that Google wouldn't use these patents against others, especially Apple. What part of the Patent Promotion Program prohibits Google from using these "worthless" patents to sue others? I'm not going to bother reading any material you referenced, that's your job to present it to back up your suggestions in the first paragraph.
     
Mike Wuerthele
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Apr 28, 2015, 09:35 AM
 
Did you read all four paragraphs, Prl99? Based on your "first paragraph" nonsense, I'm assuming not.
     
prl99
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Apr 28, 2015, 11:19 AM
 
@Mike, yes I did and as I said, the teaser part about Google not using the patents to sue others ("remove friction from the patent market") isn't supported in the rest of the article. The final sentence gives Google justification to actually go after other companies, "Though this does give Google more legal protection from trolls, it also gives the company more ammunition if it wanted to sue its competitors." So which is it? Is Google being the good guy and taking patents away from trolls so nobody can use them to sue others or are they actually collecting as many as they can to start a large effort to be, as @djbeta states, "the biggest patent troll of them all"?
     
Mike Wuerthele
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Apr 28, 2015, 11:24 AM
 
"framed by the search company"

Yeah, I think we're covered, and I think the meaning is clear. We didn't make a moral judgement on the company one way or another.
     
Charles Martin
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Apr 28, 2015, 03:28 PM
 
Yes, this isn't Faux Noise. You'll have to make up your own mind about what Google plans to do, based on things like facts and previous actions. Or just wait and see.
Charles Martin
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wireboy
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Apr 28, 2015, 03:59 PM
 
The whole 'removing friction from the marketplace' angle is clearly PR/marketing speak but that doesn't mean it isn't true. Perhaps it will help in that regard but like any marketing speak, it is designed to play up the positives for the company and downplay the negatives. Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of Google?

I don't mean to jump on you prl99, but it seems that you are, somewhat naively IMHO, looking for MacNN to give you definitive answers. They are simply presenting information that has become available. The world is a complex place and, much as we would like it to be the case, it is rarely possible to put a Good Guy or Bad Guy label on someone and then sleep soundly knowing all is right with the world.
     
   
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