Apple and Google are weighing bids for InterDigital, a mobile-technology R&D firm that holds an extensive patent portfolio related to digital wireless radiotelephony technology, including 3G and 4G, according to Bloomberg.
InterDigital's wireless patents, according to its CEO, are "deeper and stronger" than Nortel's. A consortium led by Apple purchased Nortel's thousands of patents for $4.5 billion last month beating out a bid by Google.
As of December 31, 2010, its patent portfolio consisted of approximately 1,300 United States patents (approximately 150 of which were issued in 2010) and approximately 7,500 non-United States patents (approximately 1,200 of which were issued in 2010). As of December 31, 2010, the Company had approximately 1,200 pending applications in the United States and approximately 8,500 pending non-United States patent applications. The patents and applications consists of its portfolio relate predominantly to digital wireless radiotelephony technology (including, without limitation, 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies).
InterDigital's stock price rose steeply over the past two days after news of Apple and Google's interest began to leak out. InterDigital currently has a market cap of $3.1 billion. The company announced in a press release that it had "initiated a process to explore and evaluate potential strategic alternatives for the company, which may include a sale or other transaction."
InterDigital claims licensing agreements with dozens of companies including Apple, HTC, Nokia, and RIM.
Top Rated Comments
For example, Why would Apple spend money in research and development, when they can just copy all the innovations that S3 (owned by HTC) has created. :p
Theres some chance that Android is based on the iPhone more than the iPhone is based on HTC... Search for Android before iPhone :p
For example, Why would google spend money in research and development, when they can just copy all the innovations that apple has created.
rofl
Seriously, both of these companies need these patents for defensive purposes, but at the same time the winner is going to also use them offensively. The stakes keep going up.
This patent crap gives me a headache... Honestly, patents don't really help. If the guy who created the wheel still had his patent now, where would we be?
I mean, at the time, the wheel was innovative and new. If they had patents back then, I'm sure he could have gotten one.
There are no wheels in the iPhone. Worthless invention.
That guy who created the wheel, wouldn't be motivated to do it, if he didn't get to keep the rights of the wheel... What's the point of creating a wheel if everyone else is going to steal your idea! lol
For example, Why would google spend money in research and development, when they can just copy all the innovations that apple has created.
Well at this point everyone HAS stolen that guy's idea... It just seems like putting off the inevitable. Patents do run out at some point.