Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Google and Samsung Sign Global Patent Deal

Posted by samzenpus on from the we-agree-to-agree dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Google and Samsung have signed a global patent cross-licensing agreement aimed at reducing 'the potential for litigation' and enhancing innovation. The deal will cover 'a broad range of technologies and business areas' and apply to both existing patents and any filed over the next decade. The move is also expected to strengthen their position against rivals such as Apple, which has filed multiple lawsuits worth billions of dollars for alleged patent infringements."

16 of 64 comments (clear)

  1. 1 edge by i+kan+reed · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So we have a broken patent system with thousands of broken abusive nodes(companies with dumb patents), and millions of broken abusive edges(suing each other).

    But good news, everyone! We removed one edge from the graph, and everything's better now. We're treating the symptoms and not the disease.

    1. Re:1 edge by JavaBear · · Score: 3, Interesting

      MAD

      As in mutually assured destruction. I hate it, and I hate the need for it, but if Google/Samsung etc. don't build a portfolio of essential patents, litigious bastards, like Apple and other patent trolls, will steam-roll them in the courts.

    2. Re:1 edge by gnasher719 · · Score: 3, Informative

      Interesting how your opinion forgets that Samsung has been trying to stop Apple from selling iPhones. Samsung has actually been threatened by the EU with a fine of up to thirteen billion dollars if they continue patent trolling against Apple and others.

    3. Re:1 edge by JavaBear · · Score: 2

      Remember: MAD.

      Apple does it, and like it or not (most likely not) Samsung have to do it to protect themselves. And yes, I'm aware that they are all litigious bastards. Apple just seems to be the worst, with the least substantial patents.

    4. Re:1 edge by interkin3tic · · Score: 2

      Who is "we?" Were you expecting google and samsung to team up to fix IP globally? Of course they're going to remove that one edge from the graph: that's one that they deal with and can fix.

      "Hey, fuck you Mr. Politician! You fixed ONE problem in your ONE country! Not EVERY PROBLEM IN THE WORLD SIMULTANEOUSLY!!!"

      (That joke would be better if I could give an example of a politician who fixed anything)

    5. Re: 1 edge by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 2

      They patented it, so they get to use it. Whether or not that's a valid patent is a completely different matter. The system is internally consistent, and Apple is playing by those rules very well. The fact that the system is broken is a different matter.

  2. Also blocks startups. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So these megacorps can freely use each other's overbroad patents-of-vague-concepts, but any time an independent inventor tries to get a business off the ground, he will be litigated into oblivion.

    Patents do not foster innovation, they protect the wealthy from it.

    1. Re:Also blocks startups. by Nerdfest · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I'm not sure about Samsung, but find me an instance of Google suing someone without being sued first, and no Motorola before Google bought them does not count. Google has not been a patent dick.

      There are also some open patent pools that will also help stop the abuses of ... certain companies. Of course, the laws really need to be changed. No software patents, FRAND charges defining 'reasonable' in dollars or percentages, etc.

    2. Re:Also blocks startups. by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      but find me an instance of Google suing someone without being sued first

      So, as long as they've ever been sued by someone, then it's OK for Google to sue over a different overbroad patent?

      This isn't the playground, where "He hit me first!" has any meaning.

      Google certainly has the means to defend itself from infringement suits, and by filing it's own suits on different patents, instead of just mounting a defense, they're participating in making the problem worse.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    3. Re:Also blocks startups. by Chas · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Unfortunately "Stop it! Just stop it!" doesn't work.
      The amounts of money involved here are significant enough that simply brushing them off by flat-out winning a court case isn't enough to deter them from trying again, and again and again:

      Pretty much the only thing keeping some of these lawsuits at bay are:

      A: Massive patent portfolios that can be trotted out, invalidating patent claims, thus costing them money.
      B: The threat of being punitively counter-sued based on above-mentioned patent portfolios, thus costing them more money.
      C: The possibility of losing one of these counter-suits, possibly bankrupting them, or at least detrimentally disrupting their cash flow.

      Would it be EASIER if these companies didn't need to build up monster war chests of patents?
      Sure!

      In our current legal climate, would it be SMARTER if they didn't?
      No fucking way in hell!

      --


      Chas - The one, the only.
      THANK GOD!!!
    4. Re:Also blocks startups. by AmiMoJo · · Score: 3, Informative

      So, as long as they've ever been sued by someone, then it's OK for Google to sue over a different overbroad patent?

      That's how patent law works in the US. Both sides show that the other was violating their patents and then the judge tells them to settle their differences out of court. Either that or the aggressor realizes that they stand to lose big time and backs down. It's unfortunately but it's how the game is played, and Google has no choice but to participate.

      I'm interested to know what over-broad patents you are referring to, BTW. They certainly don't seem to use anything like the rounded corners nonsense or "on a computer" shenanigans in court.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    5. Re:Also blocks startups. by Bengie · · Score: 2

      I find that logic faulty as I must kill plants in order to survive. Heck, I have to kill bacteria. Without killing, I myself would die on a daily basis. The logic should apply at all levels, which it does not. I do value sentient beings in general, so obviously humans, but also the possibility of aliens, computer AIs, and I currently think dolphins and some whales may be smart enough to fall into the category.

      I also think that allowing someone to do something is no different than doing it yourself, assuming you are in a position to stop it. A pacifist that is in the position to stop someone from harming another is no better than the person who committed the harm. A person in a position of power must take responsibility for those whom they have power over, even if not an official position of power, but one of circumstance.

      I'm not judging anyone, just stating my opinion. I am human and have my own flaws.

  3. The market seems unhappy at the moment. by jeffb+(2.718) · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Wonder how much this has to do with this morning's 2% drop in stock price? I'd think this would be reducing uncertainty, tending to drive the price up...

  4. Market headed down Friday, deal announced Sunday by raymorris · · Score: 3, Informative

    The current market slide started Friday morning. This deal was announced two days later, on Sunday.
    I suspect the Sunday announcement did not cause anything to happen two days before.

  5. Re:Great deal for Samsung, not so much for Google by oodaloop · · Score: 3, Insightful

    For the most part, not particularly, since Google isn't interested in manufacturing.

    Except for Motorola, Nest, and who knows how many other branches and acquisitions. Google may have not been involved much with manufacturing in the past, but the future seems more so.

    --
    Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
  6. Unholy Alliance by DarthVain · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Does anyone else see this as an unholy alliance in the tech war? Google and Samsung just called a truce. Each has huge patent portfolios, and not only that the agreement is binding on future technology for the next 10 years.

    Their main competitors being Apple and Microsoft, I am fairly certain hell would freeze over before those two unite...

    Pretty strong strategic plan for the future dominance.