Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Google Takes On Microsoft, Apple Over Android

Search engine giant Google is taking public issue with Microsoft and Apple, over the acquisition of patents from Novell and Nortel; licensing efforts covering Android devices; and lawsuits against Barnes & Noble, HTC, Motorola, and Samsung over Android-related patents. According to a blog post from Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and Apple have waged a "hostile, organized campaign" against Android waged through "bogus patents." Google said that the firms are "escalating the cost of patents way beyond what they’re really worth" and making it "it harder for manufacturers to sell Android devices." In its rant, Google SVP and Chief Legal Officer David Drummond said it is encouraging the Department of Justice to force the group to license the Novell patents "on fair terms" and look into "anti-competitive threats against Android."