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Nokia and Microsoft shared 1,200 patents with a notorious patent troll MOSAID

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and partner Nokia Oyj. (OMX:NOK1V) are under fire for transferring 1,200 patents to MOSAID, a so-called "patent troll" (a company that does not produce product, but which subsists off junk lawsuits).  MOSAID is reportedly targeting Google Inc. (GOOG) with patent litigation.

Nokia spokesperson Mark Durrant in a comment to Reuters defended his company's track record.  He accuses some Android devices of "significant (intellectual property) infringement issues."

And he adds, "Though we have not yet seen the complaint, Google's suggestion that Nokia and Microsoft are colluding on intellectual property rights is wrong.  Both companies have their own intellectual property rights portfolios and strategies and operate independently."

Nokia sign

Nokia arguably started the global patent war by suing Apple, Inc. (AAPL) and Android phonemaker HTC Corp. (TPE:2498) (among others) for patent infringement.  Its efforts were highly successful accounting for €500M (~$618M USD) in licensing fee earnings per year.

Apple and Microsoft have since taken the torch from Nokia, targeting Google and its partners with similar lawsuits.

Microsoft has long been implicated, at least peripherally, in accusations of patent trolling.  Its former chief technology officer (CTO), Nathan Myrhvold went on to found Intellectual Ventures, a firm some have called the biggest patent troll in existence today.

Source: Reuters


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RE: Black Ops
By Sagem123 on 6/2/2012 5:22:38 AM , Rating: 4
Nokia may have passed on the patents in order to protect their IP in the event of a hostile takeover by the biggest patent troll: Apple!


RE: Black Ops
By nick2000 on 6/2/12, Rating: -1
RE: Black Ops
By Reclaimer77 on 6/2/2012 10:48:50 AM , Rating: 4
Apple's pattens aren't on products though. The real points of contention being used against Android products are ubiquitous and vague conceptual patents on gestures and other obvious things.

That makes them a troll.


RE: Black Ops
By vol7ron on 6/2/12, Rating: -1
RE: Black Ops
By Reclaimer77 on 6/2/2012 6:53:44 PM , Rating: 5
Oh please. How can you hold the sole patent to where a button goes? Or how many one uses on a phone? How on Earth can anyone seriously consider these patentable things!


RE: Black Ops
By sprockkets on 6/2/2012 8:48:06 PM , Rating: 3
How about sending a text message over 160 char as one on the other side? MS sued Moto for that and won a ban for it in germany.

Amazing. I mean, what new novel methods were invented to make a txt message go from 1/2 2/2 to just one? And even more surprising is how MS owns that patent.


RE: Black Ops
By mcnabney on 6/4/2012 9:24:41 AM , Rating: 1
You don't understand what the patent office does.

All they do is check if a prior patent exists. They deliberately leave it to the courts to decide matters of prior art or common sense.


RE: Black Ops
By kleinma on 6/4/2012 9:57:43 AM , Rating: 2
Just imagine if some clothing company was able to patent where the buttons go on your shirts and pants... that would make for some interesting design concepts from the competition.


RE: Black Ops
By melgross on 6/2/12, Rating: 0
RE: Black Ops
By Jalek on 6/2/2012 3:43:17 PM , Rating: 2
Maybe this way they won't look as silly when they lose their "look and feel" lawsuit number ten.


RE: Black Ops
By michael2k on 6/2/2012 9:16:48 AM , Rating: 2
Why is Apple bigger than Nokia when Nokia shot first AND passed on 1,200 patents to an IP company?

Apple is definitely abusing the patent system but thus far no worse than Google, Microsoft, or Nokia.


RE: Black Ops
By FaaR on 6/2/12, Rating: -1
RE: Black Ops
By name99 on 6/2/2012 9:00:57 PM , Rating: 1
When was the last time Apple engaged in a hostile takeover?
Heck, how many companies does Apple take over in a given year? And how large are those companies? And what is Apple's motivation for acquiring them?

To assume Apple has any interest whatsoever in a hostile takeover of Nokia represents paranoia run riot.


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