Apple, Microsoft, EMC, RIM and Sony grouped together to outbid Google on the 6000 patents, paying a hefty $4.5 billion. Google had got the ball rolling by offering $900 million for the rights to the patents.
The patents covered a wide range of topics from wireless, data and optical networking, voice, Internet and semiconductors.
Last July, the DOJ let it be known that they were "intensifying" investigations into what the patents will be used for by their new owners. Specifically, the DOJ wanted to know whether the patents were purchased with the sole intention of starting lawsuits against Google over the Android platform. The DOJ reserved the right to place rules and conditions on the sale depending on what the answers are from the companies involved.
Google, in their initial bid, said they were buying the patents to protect themselves from litigation.
Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 9 Feb 2012 12:36
