Last month, it was reported that Apple and Google were considering bidding to acquire mobile technology firm InterDigital, primarily for the firm's portfolio of over 8,800 patents and 9,700 pending patent applications. InterDigital had decided to explore potential strategic moves for itself, including potential sale of the company, and the company had drawn significant interest due to the current landscape of patent disputes in the mobile industry.

interdigital logo
With Google on Monday announcing its intent to acquire Motorola Mobility, a move which will add 17,000 patents and another 7,500 pending patent applications to Google's portfolio, InterDigital's stock dropped 20% due to Google presumably dropping out of the bidding and general fears that the patent arms race might subside as the major players fill out their portfolios to keep each other at bay.

But Reuters reports that Apple is indeed still interested in InterDigital, and is considering making a bid to acquire the company. Other firms said to be interested in InterDigital include Nokia and Qualcomm.

Apple Inc (AAPL.O), Nokia (NOK1V.HE) and Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) are among several telecom and technology companies weighing bids for InterDigital Inc (IDCC.O), which specializes in wireless communications technologies, sources familiar with the situation said.

InterDigital is up for sale and is forging ahead with its auction despite a setback on Monday when Google Inc (GOOG.O), one of the key potential bidders, struck another deal.

The report notes that Google has not formally withdrawn from the InterDigital auction, although it is unclear whether it will participate in the bidding after committing $12.5 billion to the Motorola Mobility purchase.

Update: Reuters has posted an updated version of the article, noting that the auction of InterDigital has been postponed from next week until after Labor Day, which pushes it into early September at the earliest. Potential first-round bidders have reportedly been asking for more time to conduct due diligence on the company, accounting for the delay, but InterDigital is said to be hoping to accelerate the second round of the auction in order to keep moving forward in a timely manner.

Tag: Reuters

Top Rated Comments

Torrijos Avatar
181 months ago
Apple has a track record of suing others for patent infringement to reduce competition, Google doesn't.
Really? :D
To reduce competition... :eek:

It has nothing to do with Apple defending innovations they brought to consumers after years of R&D, that, the then moribund company, spent lot of cash on.

This is actually what patents were created for...
So companies would invest in R&D to improve the current state of technology, then release new products that others companies (you know the ones that were trying to sell you 80x80 monochromes phones a couple of years ago, or the ones that felt that a blackberry "open source" clone was the future of mobile phones) would end up copying. Patents forcing them to license the patented innovations so the company that did the hard work (:apple:) could reap what they sowed.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rdowns Avatar
181 months ago
Apple has a track record of suing others for patent infringement to reduce competition, Google doesn't.


So Apple is wrong because they are playing the game and defending their patents?

Google doesn't have many patents for their Android business. Instead, they use their windfall profits in search/advertising to try and crush other companies businesses as they try to find alternate revenue streams.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Brad L Avatar
181 months ago
Damn, I sold this stock about 6 years ago :(
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TMay Avatar
181 months ago
Apple's pimping Google again

And that makes Oracle and MS chuckle. Samsung looks with envy.

Apple or MS will buy this just so Google will go all crazy and throw another $12B on a bad investment.

You know, like Motorola.

Desperation.

It's what happens when a Company doesn't have a strategic plan for the future other than "more advertising please".
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jibbajabba Avatar
181 months ago
Wow. You actually welcome Apple spending money on law suits instead of products?



Do you not see his emoticon? It was sarcastic.

^^ that ;)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ulf1103 Avatar
181 months ago
They are buying up patents so they can sue competitors instead of competing against them with better products so I'd say it would be negative for product development.

Yes, but if Apple don't buy it, and Google does, Google will probably use it against Apple right? Or not? :confused:
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Monday June 30, 2025 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
replay all time playlist apple music

Apple Music Debuts All-New Personalized Playlist

Monday June 30, 2025 7:16 am PDT by
As part of its 10-year celebrations of Apple Music, Apple today released an all-new personalized playlist that collates your entire listening history. The playlist, called "Replay All Time," expands on Apple Music's existing Replay features. Previously, users could only see their top songs for each individual calendar year that they've been subscribed to Apple Music, but now, Replay All...