Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Google Public Statements On Patent War Sound Those of 80s Central American Juntas Would Say


Google public statements on patent war sound those of 1980s Central American juntas used to say.  First, I'm a Google fan but I also recognize the need to protect and respect intellectual properties as the laws now prescribe, whether I agree with them or not.

However, I won't say I respect patents rights but continue try to obfuscate what is going on out there.  Microsoft just got Samsung to sign on to become a licensee of its mobile patents just like HTC and a few others have done.

And this is better than what Apple is trying to do:  its not even sharing its patents at all.

Here's Google statement in response to the Microsoft and Samsung deal: “This is the same tactic we’ve seen time and again from Microsoft. Failing to succeed in the smartphone market, they are resorting to legal measures to extort profit from others’ achievements and hinder the pace of innovation. We remain focused on building new technology and supporting Android partners.”

I agree with the part about the tactics to extract profit from Android makers but not the part about hindering innovation.  Google, how is Microsoft, or Apple for that matter, hindering innovation?  I'm most certain that if the shoe was on the other foot, Google would be suing everyone else trying to take advantage of its innovations without paying for them.

While I'm glad that Android is in the strong position it is today because it provides competitive pressure on the other mobile platforms, Google never realized the position it has put them  in.  Google should have licensed the necessary patents and acquire those they need from day one to protect itself.  In fact, in their Java spat with Google, Google realized they needed to sign a deal with Sun Microsystems but, for whatever reason, decided against it.

Now, Google has one choice:  acquire patents on the market which is it already doing and, which they don't seem to be doing, build its own team to innovate.

This statement from Google and others like it only make them sound like those strongmen who are about to be toppled and there isn't much they can do but yell the loudest to see if anyone cares.  Well, in this case, I care.

Instead of saying that others are hindering innovation, which they're not, it needs to innovate to protect Android.

Via WMPoweruser.

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