In light of the recent events unfolding in courtrooms around the world between Apple and Samsung, it seems the war in mobile will be won based on patents. With a healthy library of 17,000 patents, Motorola Mobility was the perfect acquisition for Google, an acquisition which may have single handedly saved Android.
As a software company, Google depends primarily on its partners to market and sell compelling handsets. Samsung, Motorola, HTC and LG have largely been responsible for that success. In the patent wars, Microsoft is the commander and chief. Motorola Mobility is number two, followed by Nokia and Apple who share the third sport. Prior to the July sell off which saw Apple, Sony Ericsson, Microsoft and RIM walk away winners, Nortel was in third.
Earlier this month many speculated that Motorola Mobility might use its patents to strangle Android rather than protect it. With recent financial struggles, CEO Sanjay Jha placed an emphasis on the value of the company’s patent portfolio and even hinted that it may begin pursuing royalties. It’s safe to say Google heard the message loud and clear, and skipped the courting process altogether.
Frodo had “one ring to rule them all” and now Android has one heck of a patent library to rule mobile. Now several big questions remain: can Google leverage any of these patents to protect Samsung from Apple? Alternatively, what new claims can Google make against iOS or Apple hardware? Innovation in mobile will begin in the lab, but its success will be decided in court.
