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Google Strikes Deal With Verizon To Reduce Patent Troll Suits

Posted by samzenpus on from the why-can't-we-be-friends? dept.

mpicpp writes Google Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. struck a long-term patent cross-license agreement to reduce the risk of future patent lawsuits, the latest in a string of deals that signal a slowdown after years of aggressive patent wars. The deal effectively bars the companies from suing each other over any of the thousands of patents the companies currently own or acquire in the next five years. It also protects the companies if either sells a patent to another company, and that company attempts a lawsuit. "This cross license allows both companies to focus on delivering great products and services to consumers around the world," said Kirk Dailey, Google's head of patent transactions.

5 of 20 comments (clear)

  1. Thus, they fully admit by Yakasha · · Score: 4, Informative
    That patents are hindering innovation.

    Case closed.

    1. Re:Thus, they fully admit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      That patents are hindering innovation.

      It only hinders innovation at companies too small to make these deals. Remember that next time you hear we need patents to protect the mythical lone inventor.

    2. Re:Thus, they fully admit by phizi0n · · Score: 2

      Why do I always lose mod points just when I want to actually use them...

      That patents are hindering innovation.

      It only hinders innovation at companies too small to make these deals. Remember that next time you hear we need patents to protect the mythical lone inventor.

      This is so true. Large companies cross license all the time just to end silly patent wars between each other and then sue the shit out of all the small guys or buy them up. When companies reach certain sizes they do whatever they want, if they get told it's illegal then they just change the laws but they don't get punished.

    3. Re:Thus, they fully admit by schnell · · Score: 2

      Google Strikes Deal With Verizon To Reduce Patent Troll Suits

      What I don't understand is that this is supposed to be a patent cross-licensing deal between Google and Verizon, which has nothing to do with anyone else. Per the headline, does that mean that Google is a patent troll? Or is that Verizon? Or both?

      I don't understand. Unless of course it's just terrible editing on Slashdot with a clickbait headline that is unrelated to the story at hand. That I would understand.

      --
      "95% of all Slashdot .sig quotes are incorrect or completely fabricated." -Benjamin Franklin
  2. Re:Really? by arbiter1 · · Score: 2

    When you got to worry about not stepping on someone patent makes it almost impossible. In court of patents, you are guilty til proven innocent.