[dpandey]

The key focus of this acquisition seems to be the acquisition of assets (read 'IP'). Fitbit has had a rough time battling Jawbone in court (though ironically Jawbone has been the sufferer in the market while Fitbit revenue keeps going up). I feel that has made them cautious about IP and this is the second acquisition (after Coin) that's been purely focussed on acquiring IP so that:

1. Others can't acquire and sue them

2. They can sue others if needed

Other than IP, it's hard to justify their spend in acquiring the company (they already have hardware and software/app).

[woah]

What have pebble and coin done to get this IP? Just had enough patent lawyers around to patent stuff they happen to be working on ("Method of having an e-ink watchface")?

[dpandey]

You usually acquire IP by inventing something, and then filing for patents based on the invention, if that's what you're asking.

To be fair, I don't think Pebble was aspiring to be acquired by Fitbit for their IP. They turned down a huge acquisition offer, presumably on the notion of getting bigger. This was just a fire sale which barely returned money to debt holders (and maybe some to investors).

Same thing with Coin. In fact, Fitbit only acquired a portion of that company.

[greglindahl]

That's how the game is played, yes. If Fitbit has been on the receiving end of of patent problems, it's no surprise that they're very interested in patents.