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LG Acquires WebOS Source Code and Patents From HP

Posted by samzenpus on from the gobbled-up dept.

An anonymous reader writes "LG is set to breathe new life into the webOS platform after the company announced today that it has acquired the software and its intellectual property from HP. The news comes after HP abandoned webOS device and software development in August 2011, then open-sourced the platform so that developers might be able to salvage something from the software that was widely acclaimed, despite the lack of smartphone and tablet sales which it powered. LG now claims complete ownership of the webOS source code, its documentation and webOS websites. It has obtained HP licenses, as well as the patents that Palm transferred to its owner when it was acquired in 2010."

8 of 80 comments (clear)

  1. The Curse is transferred by swschrad · · Score: 4, Funny

    HP must be breathing a sigh of relief. I hope LG didn't pay much, because they'll now need to hoard every penny they find.

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    1. Re:The Curse is transferred by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Insightful

      HP must be breathing a sigh of relief. I hope LG didn't pay much, because they'll now need to hoard every penny they find.

      Or, conversely, maybe it has a chance to thrive if it's being maintained by people who have an idea of what to do with it?

      I don't know much about WebOS, but the fact that HP basically mis-managed it and did a half assed job is more about HP.

      Now, as to whether anybody is actually going to be interested in yet-another-operating-system ... who knows.

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    2. Re:The Curse is transferred by squiggleslash · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Not sure it's mismanaged so much as "decided to suddenly stop for no apparent reason" - the CEO at the time wanting to turn HP into a software/services company. In that light, it's not immediately obvious what LG could do with it that would make things right.

      There's also something else you should consider. Back in the mid-nineties, a company called Gateway bought the assets of a bankrupt Commodore, making fans of the Amiga temporarily very excited thinking that a major PC maker was about to rescue the most innovative personal computer platform. Gateway was doing well, the Amiga's problem was mismanagement, and finally, thought many people, the Amiga might stand a chance of returning to its former glories and lead position.

      Did that happen? Did it bollocks. Gateway just wanted the patents. And with LG buying the rights, but so far as I can tell none of the people, and with LG producing smartphones and tablets in an atmosphere in which companies are able to get billion dollar judgments against their competitors over the infringment of dubious patents, LG needs a portfolio to protect its mobile business.

      So don't bet on any of this meaning LG is going to hire Palm/HP staffers and start building webOS tablets. This looks like a Gateway play, not an Escom play.

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  2. Re:Can they do that? by h4rr4r · · Score: 5, Informative

    Because they own it.

    I could release Whizbang 1.0, have it flop then GPL Whizbang 1.5. When LG comes knocking I sell them Whizbang and all associated marks. That does not mean Whizbang 1.5 is no longer GPL, just that new versions are not going to be.

  3. Turn, turn, turn... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Next week HP will be announcing their acquisition of LG, in order to secure ownership of WebOS which they will see as a vital part of their future growth plans.

    1. Re:Turn, turn, turn... by Junta · · Score: 4, Funny

      No, next week is Whitman stepping down and a new CEO. LG acquisition is the week *after* that. HP only changes their mind as often as they change leadership, so it takes a couple weeks for a complete about face on any given move.

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  4. Re:Can they do that? by jbolden · · Score: 3, Insightful

    They don't have to revoke anything. They have copyright.

    I own copyright on book X.

    I license A to produce 200 copies for resale
    I license B to make a made for TV movie with unlimited distribution and I get a cut.

    A can't use B's license and B can't use A's license.

    Copyright holders can release things on as many licenses as they want.

  5. TV OS? by slapout · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The rumor I heard was that they were going to use it in their TVs.

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