Google and Samsung filed a 10-year agreement for cross-licensing patents, in an attempt to benefit both parties through cooperation. This is in stark contrast to the prevailing mentality of the mobile patent war, in which corporations seek to slow each other down through litigation. Google and Samsung's cooperation marks a new and positive step for intellectual property, in which patents are enforced and respected without slowing down technological progress.
An underlying question, though, is whether Google and Samsung have an ulterior motive. Because they're both major corporations in the mobile device space, their collaboration/alliance could be bad news for competitors like Apple.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57617807-94/google-samsung-strike-patent-cross-licensing-deal/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7l3Obj3Wvk
I wrote on this article as well previously. It's one of the biggest issue, in my opinion. They are willing to ally up and go against Apple. I think it's showing that they won't sue each other, and Samsung needs Google to survive anyway, this was a no brainer move. Cisco and Samsung cross licensing deal is more bold move.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agreed. Samsung is so focused on Android, it wouldn't make sense if this didn't happen. It's still refreshing to see how this is a possibility in what seems like a war-like environment for patents.
DeleteOne thing that would be interesting, however, kind of like the Cisco-Samsung deal, is what would happen as Google moves into different spaces. Google has initiatives in health, telecommunications, and other high tech gadgets. By making this deal, does Samsung hope to get a piece of the action? I wouldn't put it past them. This seems like an extremely well-made strategic move by Samsung.
I do think the Apple should be very concerned about this alliance between two other major players in the smartphone industry. The problem for Apple is that it is harder for them to form such alliances given the fact that they are the only company building phones for iOS. I do like the move for both Google and Samsung, as it will likely prove financially beneficial for both. However, it would be disappointing to see Google and Samsung team up to effectively troll apple in patent litigation.
ReplyDeleteWhile I share your sentiment that companies should spend more time innovating than ganging up on others by trolling their patents, I don't think that would be ethically or morally disappointing for Samsung and Google. The fact is, if Apple could team up with another industry giant and attack other companies, it would happily do so. While unrestrained brawling isn't the best way to handle IP disputes, that's unfortunately the nature of the game. If Samsung and Google don't try to dominate others, they'll end up being attacked and dominated in the future. If anything, I'd be happy to see Samsung and Google gang up against Apple because it would drive up competition and force all parties to figure out how to be better than the other.
DeleteBased on previous posts, it seems that this move may be bad for Apple but I am certain that these top companies have collaborated with each other. These tactics do seem to be for the benefit of each individual interest. I have included the link below that points out that Apple, Microsoft and Google have collaborated to obtain patents from Kodak. In past interactions, these companies may seem work or "troll" each other simply based on what is good for investors and the company.
ReplyDeleteThis issue cuts to the core of how it can be considered ironic that companies innovate to make new products but have to keep the innovation within the interest of the investors. In today's market, the tech companies may be innovating but it is with respect to some of the corporate interests. It may be difficult to have companies keep balance between business and technological interests.
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-microsoft-and-apple-work-together-2013-6?op=1
While it may seem ironic that technology companies are steered by business interests in the background, I think that's the most prudent way to continue innovating. As we know, technology companies can only operate as long as there are people willing to validate them by purchasing their products. Apple, Samsung, Google, LG, Yahoo!, and others are nothing without their base of consumers. For this reason, technology companies should be led by corporate interests, because their innovation should be tailored to today's market demand. Even if some company makes a technologically amazing product, it would generate no revenue if consumers aren't interested, and that will cause the company to lose money and fail.
DeleteI'm not surprised to see that Google and Samsung are joining forces to take down a common competitor (Apple), seeing that they both collaborate in software and hardware when it comes to Android. What is interesting, however, is that they have taken a large step in trust by cross-licensing. There must be ulterior motives to this situation, but maybe this time, the motive is the same. I don't know if either one could afford to sabotage the other, as Google maintains Android and Samsung makes the largest profit-grossing Android devices.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point. I think this is just a publicity move. They want everyone to join them, at least the Android makers. Google and Samsung already technically share many technologies anyway informally, so this isn't a big move. I feel like this is a move to show to the world that they are getting along. It also poses the question to the rest of the companies that why can't we all just get along? Google clearly has the upper bound but I heard Samsung is trying out different OS called Tizen. It will be ugly if Samsung leaves as this force will collapse if that were to occur.
DeleteI think you bring up a good point. Google and Samsung's cooperation is most obviously a mutual relationship to bolster strengths against competitors. However, I can also see their partnership attracting other industry players. If this relationship is the beginning of more alliances, I can see the patent landscape changing drastically. Currently, patent litigation tends to be between individual companies, but I can see huge lawsuits between coalitions of companies becoming more mainstream.
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