Google doesn't benefit if their partners leave. Google benefits if their vendors are happily producing Android handsets. Google has never shown an interest in their own hardware. why exactly should the Android vendors be upset or scared? Their common platform just gained a huge weapon in their mobile wars.
Google just blew at least 1/4 of their total cash hoard for a company well on the downslide.
I don't think Google knows what exactly it is going to do.
Yes, the first thing is probably patents to ensure Android remains a viable platform.
But what are they going to do with Moto then?
They will always be in two minds about what to do with it. Google will be distracted trying to prop up Moto while at the same time trying to cater to other manufacturers who are now pretty much 100% invested in Android for their very future.
Personally I can give a moral opinion, which, okay, I have.
Rationally, I would say the waters are very murky on this one.
Someone explain to me how it is anticompetitive to protect your patented material from being copied by "open-source" ?
The whole system is a convoluted tangle of contradictory ideas.
You need an exclusive competitive advantage to beat your competition in the open market (or fair market or what is it really?) but if you are TOO successful in the open market - then you MUST involved in something that is anticompetitive and the government should step in and take away the very advantage that allowed you to be successful.
Now clearly there are things like price-fixing and collusion in which companies who are allegedly competing in the open market which are anticompetitive in that they work in opposition to the system of competition in the market place (rather than in the dark recesses beyond public view).
But having patents and products based on them which are wildly successful in the market place and which make it very difficult for another company to be field a competitive product does not equal anticompetitive practice.
Its not like Apple is giving away free iPhones to undercut the competition just to make money on App/Music store purchases.
This should really read as 'Google bail out floundering motorola', or 'Google snap up floundering Motorola on the cheap'. Expect Google to gut Motorola and wind the company up within 3 years.
Android, free and open and wonderful with pretty flowers.
But... oops, sorry, we got Moto now, HTC, Samsung, the rest of you can jog on and find your own OS. What's that? You invested billions in Android and had no legal protection from us? Well, too bad. Peace out, remember, don't do evil.
This is one of the biggest dick moves in Tech this past ten years.
If there was any sliver of doubt of Google's duplicity, it is well and truly erased now. Mark this day. Mark it well.
Oh please. If HTC was really looking at paying $5 per handset to Motorola, you can bet that they are relieved Google bought Moto out.
A lot of folks on here are predicting HTC and Samsung will be leaving the Android ecosystem....to what? Bada's sales numbers are on par with Windows Phone 7. And they don't have traction in the higher end markets. HTC doesn't have their own OS. And to top it all off, MS is still giving Nokia special rights with WinPho 7 that they won't give to any other OEM (unless they commit like Nokia to WP7 completely). All for an OS that consumers don't seem to be gravitating towards...heck Symbian still sells more than WP7.
Indeed, this might actually finally bring an end to some of the patents wars, if Google can effectively use these patents to force cross-licensing deals with Microsoft and Apple.
This could be a risky move. Or this could be an amazingly brilliant move. Dick move? I think not. Unless you count preventing Motorola from suing every Android licensee to be a dick move.
No, you are not reading the events correctly. This move means that google will not stand down and wait for all the shit hitting in the fan with all their partners. It means that Google will fight against appl and msft on a more equal ground. Which is good for their partners, not bad.
This is mainly good for android make no mistake about it.
Well, Google has to remember to fight Oracle too.
I bet lawyers all over the US are flinging their resumes at Google right now.
Google is going to have to "lawyer up" big time now. On a more equal ground? Perhaps, with the Motorola patent portfolio. But even then the acquisition will take time.
This seems good for Android but I just don't think Google has everything lined up quite right. There's still a lot of challenges ahead.
Curious, excuse the n00b question, but Motorola is up 57.99% in pre-market. In a situation like this doesn't trading of shares of Moto have to be suspended?
Wouldn't people be buying into Moto shares like mad through today?
No, trading isn't suspended, why would it be? Instead the price will tend to rise to around the value of the bid. The fact that it's up to nearly the bid amount indicates an expectation that the bid will succeed and pass regulatory approval. If it went above the bid amount that would indicate investors expected a counter bid from another player. If it was significantly below the bid then it would indicate investors expected the bid to fail.
A suspension may sometimes precede a big announcement like this to avoid insider trading, but there's no need for it to follow.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nvidia2008
Well, Google has to remember to fight Oracle too.
The rumours are that the IBM patents were bought for use against Oracle.
Quote:
I think this is the best piece of news that could greet Apple, Inc. execs and employees this morning.
Happy Monday, Steve Jobs. You deserve it.
I'm sure Apple is taking this seriously. Before this Moto was a very weak player with a relatively strong IP portfolio. Now that IP is going to be owned by Google, and will at least partially be defending stronger players such as HTC and Samsung (though presumably it won't defend Sense or T-Wiz). From a business perspective Steve Jobs may be having a laugh this morning, but I'm sure from a legal perspective he's at least a little concerned.
Google just blew at least 1/4 of their total cash hoard for a company well on the downslide.
I don't think Google knows what exactly it is going to do.
Yes, the first thing is probably patents to ensure Android remains a viable platform.
But what are they going to do with Moto then?
They will always be in two minds about what to do with it. Google will be distracted trying to prop up Moto while at the same time trying to cater to other manufacturers who are now pretty much 100% invested in Android for their very future.
Personally I can give a moral opinion, which, okay, I have.
Rationally, I would say the waters are very murky on this one.
I think you are 100% right that google doesn't know exactly what they are going to do, specifically with the moto business itself in the long term.
I think they will operate it as a separate company with no real connection to the google mothership. i don't think they will let it become a distraction for them. If it becomes a distraction for their Android vendors, I don't think they will be adverse at all to just selling the corpse, once they have stripped off the IP, and even selling it at a loss. If that is necessary to placate their partners, I think they will. But, I think they will first try to convince their partners of two things. 1) the moto acquisition is good for them because it gives them patent protection (much greater than they have on their own) as part of the Android family and 2) that moto will be completely separate and no more or less a threat to them than before, as they will be operated just as they were before (from a mobile business perspective. If they are successful in convincing their partners of this, then their job is done.
How is it a great move? The just spent $12B on a "antiquated" company (albeit one with a rich patent portfolio), entered a field they are not familiar with (manufacturing) and pissed off their licensees in the process.
Seems like another reason for OEM's to flock to MSFT. MSFT has a much better mobile OS anyway. I think this will tank for Google.
It's a great move because now Google doesn't have to fear lawsuits (as much as before). Also google doesn't need any experience with manufacturing (even though they have made their own phone before) because the company they just bought knows a lot about it.
It's not about what Motorola is, it's about what Google is about to become.
Legally, they can't. That would either imply Apple does not infringe, or they're giving Apple a free license to use the patents in question which effectively nullifies them.
No matter what way Google's PR may spin it, Google can't just take the defence, they are legally required to seek out and litigate against entities who are violating on their patents.
You are confusing patents with trademarks, which actually DO have to be actively defended otherwise they can be lost. Patents on the other hand can be held onto without suing anyone even if you know other companies are infringing. It's called a submarine patent, and that's why there are patent pools to encourage patent owners to come out of the woodwork so they can collect royalty payments.
Within a few weeks everything should be clearer. It's a tough one to call right now since it's caught everyone except the two players off-guard.
But there's no denying this changes everything. . . again.
As usual you are the thinking man's android
I agree, this is a big move and while it has the potential to explode in Google's face, it may also work out very well for them. It's way too early for big conclusions.
I'll be curious to see
The fate of Moto-blur
If Moto gets a Nexus
If Moto phones get co-branded as Google
If employees get transferred between them in any numbers
I see this becoming a Droid vs. HTC, Samsung issue. With Google playing advocate. Thus leaving Apple to hop right over all 3 companies while they fight out who is dominant.
You are confusing patents with trademarks, which actually DO have to be actively defended otherwise they can be lost. Patents on the other hand can be held onto without suing anyone even if you know other companies are infringing. It's called a submarine patent, and that's why there are patent pools to encourage patent owners to come out of the woodwork so they can collect royalty payments.
Yes, but in this instance Moto has already begun litigation on the patents, so if they were to suspend it that might be considered prejudicial to a subsequent case. At the very least it might impact their ability to demand an injunction rather than just damages.
Ever since Motorola started using Android its market share has been dropping and it appears the company was bleeding its share price for the past couple of quarters. It almost appears that Android has done nothing for Motorola despite Google giving Motorola the first shot with the Droid line. Only Samsung and HTC have seen any financial benefits from Android. This buyout of Motorola is probably the best shot for Motorola shareholders that they'd ever have. Motorola had been terribly ruined by past management and it'll most likely be dissolved in the future.
Yes, but in this instance Moto has already begun litigation on the patents, so if they were to suspend it that might be considered prejudicial to a subsequent case. At the very least it might impact their ability to demand an injunction rather than just damages.
I personally expect an eventual announcement that all patent litigation between Apple and Moto has been settled in a mutual agreement.
I suspect that both Google and Apple know too many details about where the bodies are buried.
Ever since Motorola started using Android its market share has been dropping and it appears the company was bleeding its share price for the past couple of quarters. It almost appears that Android has done nothing for Motorola despite Google giving Motorola the first shot with the Droid line. Only Samsung and HTC have seen any financial benefits from Android. This buyout of Motorola is probably the best shot for Motorola shareholders that they'd ever have. Motorola had been terribly ruined by past management and it'll most likely be dissolved in the future.
This is known as the race to the bottom. When everyone depends on one company to develop their software, the only way to compete is on price (how low can you go).
Comments
Google doesn't benefit if their partners leave. Google benefits if their vendors are happily producing Android handsets. Google has never shown an interest in their own hardware. why exactly should the Android vendors be upset or scared? Their common platform just gained a huge weapon in their mobile wars.
Google just blew at least 1/4 of their total cash hoard for a company well on the downslide.
I don't think Google knows what exactly it is going to do.
Yes, the first thing is probably patents to ensure Android remains a viable platform.
But what are they going to do with Moto then?
They will always be in two minds about what to do with it. Google will be distracted trying to prop up Moto while at the same time trying to cater to other manufacturers who are now pretty much 100% invested in Android for their very future.
Personally I can give a moral opinion, which, okay, I have.
Rationally, I would say the waters are very murky on this one.
The whole system is a convoluted tangle of contradictory ideas.
You need an exclusive competitive advantage to beat your competition in the open market (or fair market or what is it really?) but if you are TOO successful in the open market - then you MUST involved in something that is anticompetitive and the government should step in and take away the very advantage that allowed you to be successful.
Now clearly there are things like price-fixing and collusion in which companies who are allegedly competing in the open market which are anticompetitive in that they work in opposition to the system of competition in the market place (rather than in the dark recesses beyond public view).
But having patents and products based on them which are wildly successful in the market place and which make it very difficult for another company to be field a competitive product does not equal anticompetitive practice.
Its not like Apple is giving away free iPhones to undercut the competition just to make money on App/Music store purchases.
Within a few weeks everything should be clearer. It's a tough one to call right now since it's caught everyone except the two players off-guard.
But there's no denying this changes everything. . . again.
I think this is the best piece of news that could greet Apple, Inc. execs and employees this morning.
Happy Monday, Steve Jobs. You deserve it.
(I'm honestly not being sarcastic here)
They are happy. Their profit margins will further erode.
Probably, but not because of this acquisition.
Can you fathom the gravity of Google's betrayal?
Android, free and open and wonderful with pretty flowers.
But... oops, sorry, we got Moto now, HTC, Samsung, the rest of you can jog on and find your own OS. What's that? You invested billions in Android and had no legal protection from us? Well, too bad. Peace out, remember, don't do evil.
This is one of the biggest dick moves in Tech this past ten years.
If there was any sliver of doubt of Google's duplicity, it is well and truly erased now. Mark this day. Mark it well.
Oh please. If HTC was really looking at paying $5 per handset to Motorola, you can bet that they are relieved Google bought Moto out.
A lot of folks on here are predicting HTC and Samsung will be leaving the Android ecosystem....to what? Bada's sales numbers are on par with Windows Phone 7. And they don't have traction in the higher end markets. HTC doesn't have their own OS. And to top it all off, MS is still giving Nokia special rights with WinPho 7 that they won't give to any other OEM (unless they commit like Nokia to WP7 completely). All for an OS that consumers don't seem to be gravitating towards...heck Symbian still sells more than WP7.
Indeed, this might actually finally bring an end to some of the patents wars, if Google can effectively use these patents to force cross-licensing deals with Microsoft and Apple.
This could be a risky move. Or this could be an amazingly brilliant move. Dick move? I think not. Unless you count preventing Motorola from suing every Android licensee to be a dick move.
No, you are not reading the events correctly. This move means that google will not stand down and wait for all the shit hitting in the fan with all their partners. It means that Google will fight against appl and msft on a more equal ground. Which is good for their partners, not bad.
This is mainly good for android make no mistake about it.
Well, Google has to remember to fight Oracle too.
I bet lawyers all over the US are flinging their resumes at Google right now.
Google is going to have to "lawyer up" big time now. On a more equal ground? Perhaps, with the Motorola patent portfolio. But even then the acquisition will take time.
This seems good for Android but I just don't think Google has everything lined up quite right. There's still a lot of challenges ahead.
Curious, excuse the n00b question, but Motorola is up 57.99% in pre-market. In a situation like this doesn't trading of shares of Moto have to be suspended?
Wouldn't people be buying into Moto shares like mad through today?
No, trading isn't suspended, why would it be? Instead the price will tend to rise to around the value of the bid. The fact that it's up to nearly the bid amount indicates an expectation that the bid will succeed and pass regulatory approval. If it went above the bid amount that would indicate investors expected a counter bid from another player. If it was significantly below the bid then it would indicate investors expected the bid to fail.
A suspension may sometimes precede a big announcement like this to avoid insider trading, but there's no need for it to follow.
Well, Google has to remember to fight Oracle too.
The rumours are that the IBM patents were bought for use against Oracle.
I think this is the best piece of news that could greet Apple, Inc. execs and employees this morning.
Happy Monday, Steve Jobs. You deserve it.
I'm sure Apple is taking this seriously. Before this Moto was a very weak player with a relatively strong IP portfolio. Now that IP is going to be owned by Google, and will at least partially be defending stronger players such as HTC and Samsung (though presumably it won't defend Sense or T-Wiz). From a business perspective Steve Jobs may be having a laugh this morning, but I'm sure from a legal perspective he's at least a little concerned.
Google just blew at least 1/4 of their total cash hoard for a company well on the downslide.
I don't think Google knows what exactly it is going to do.
Yes, the first thing is probably patents to ensure Android remains a viable platform.
But what are they going to do with Moto then?
They will always be in two minds about what to do with it. Google will be distracted trying to prop up Moto while at the same time trying to cater to other manufacturers who are now pretty much 100% invested in Android for their very future.
Personally I can give a moral opinion, which, okay, I have.
Rationally, I would say the waters are very murky on this one.
I think you are 100% right that google doesn't know exactly what they are going to do, specifically with the moto business itself in the long term.
I think they will operate it as a separate company with no real connection to the google mothership. i don't think they will let it become a distraction for them. If it becomes a distraction for their Android vendors, I don't think they will be adverse at all to just selling the corpse, once they have stripped off the IP, and even selling it at a loss. If that is necessary to placate their partners, I think they will. But, I think they will first try to convince their partners of two things. 1) the moto acquisition is good for them because it gives them patent protection (much greater than they have on their own) as part of the Android family and 2) that moto will be completely separate and no more or less a threat to them than before, as they will be operated just as they were before (from a mobile business perspective. If they are successful in convincing their partners of this, then their job is done.
How is it a great move? The just spent $12B on a "antiquated" company (albeit one with a rich patent portfolio), entered a field they are not familiar with (manufacturing) and pissed off their licensees in the process.
Seems like another reason for OEM's to flock to MSFT. MSFT has a much better mobile OS anyway. I think this will tank for Google.
It's a great move because now Google doesn't have to fear lawsuits (as much as before). Also google doesn't need any experience with manufacturing (even though they have made their own phone before) because the company they just bought knows a lot about it.
It's not about what Motorola is, it's about what Google is about to become.
Legally, they can't. That would either imply Apple does not infringe, or they're giving Apple a free license to use the patents in question which effectively nullifies them.
No matter what way Google's PR may spin it, Google can't just take the defence, they are legally required to seek out and litigate against entities who are violating on their patents.
You are confusing patents with trademarks, which actually DO have to be actively defended otherwise they can be lost. Patents on the other hand can be held onto without suing anyone even if you know other companies are infringing. It's called a submarine patent, and that's why there are patent pools to encourage patent owners to come out of the woodwork so they can collect royalty payments.
A ZDNet blogger has added a few reasons why the deal makes sense.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/google...es-sense/54987
Within a few weeks everything should be clearer. It's a tough one to call right now since it's caught everyone except the two players off-guard.
But there's no denying this changes everything. . . again.
As usual you are the thinking man's android
I agree, this is a big move and while it has the potential to explode in Google's face, it may also work out very well for them. It's way too early for big conclusions.
I'll be curious to see
- The fate of Moto-blur
- If Moto gets a Nexus
- If Moto phones get co-branded as Google
- If employees get transferred between them in any numbers
- If Jha sticks around at Moto
Amongst many other things.I see this becoming a Droid vs. HTC, Samsung issue. With Google playing
You are confusing patents with trademarks, which actually DO have to be actively defended otherwise they can be lost. Patents on the other hand can be held onto without suing anyone even if you know other companies are infringing. It's called a submarine patent, and that's why there are patent pools to encourage patent owners to come out of the woodwork so they can collect royalty payments.
Yes, but in this instance Moto has already begun litigation on the patents, so if they were to suspend it that might be considered prejudicial to a subsequent case. At the very least it might impact their ability to demand an injunction rather than just damages.
Some here are also forgetting TV land. Motorola is huge there. Google TV is about to get an absolutely massive boost.
Except that Google bought their mobility department and nothing else.
Except that Google bought their mobility department and nothing else.
The cable box business is reported to be a piece of Motorola Mobility, so I'd guess it's included.
Yes, but in this instance Moto has already begun litigation on the patents, so if they were to suspend it that might be considered prejudicial to a subsequent case. At the very least it might impact their ability to demand an injunction rather than just damages.
I personally expect an eventual announcement that all patent litigation between Apple and Moto has been settled in a mutual agreement.
I suspect that both Google and Apple know too many details about where the bodies are buried.
Ever since Motorola started using Android its market share has been dropping and it appears the company was bleeding its share price for the past couple of quarters. It almost appears that Android has done nothing for Motorola despite Google giving Motorola the first shot with the Droid line. Only Samsung and HTC have seen any financial benefits from Android. This buyout of Motorola is probably the best shot for Motorola shareholders that they'd ever have. Motorola had been terribly ruined by past management and it'll most likely be dissolved in the future.
This is known as the race to the bottom. When everyone depends on one company to develop their software, the only way to compete is on price (how low can you go).