Patent Case Could Shift Power Balance In Tech Industry

An anonymous reader writes A lawsuit between Apple and Google could drastically change the power balance between patent holders and device makers. "The dispute centers on so-called standard-essential patents, which cover technology that is included in industry-wide technology standards. Since others have to use the technology if they want their own products to meet an industry standard, the companies that submit their patents for approval by standards bodies are required to license them out on 'reasonable and non-discriminatory',(paywalled) or RAND, terms." If Apple wins, the understanding of what fees are RAND may decrease by at least an order of magnitude.

Comments

Patent fees are always RAND...

[Jax Omen]

specifically, RAND(toomuch,waytoomuch).

Re:What does it all mean?

[jedidiah]

The degree to which Apple is a monopoly in any market is dependent entirely upon the point that a particular fanboy is trying to make that day. They can either be obscure and on the ropes or they can be nearly taking over the planet. It all depends on what that day's agenda is.