[kelnos]

That a company that copies things might infringe patents?

Wow, seems like you have a pretty big bias here. That hurts your argument quite a bit.

Are you aware that Apple doesn't cry about how it's the end of the world and we're all going to have to pay more for the next iphone because they had to write Nokia a check for Nokia's previous and substantial innovations to mobile?

It's one thing to license a patent filed and wielded in good faith. Google already does that as well for lots of patents.

It's quite another to collude with other companies to buy up huge patent portfolios for the sole purpose of extorting your competitors and stifling competition. That's what Apple/MS/etc. appear to be doing here. Obviously I can't speak to their motivations with authority, but that's how it looks from the outside.

[Steko]

"It's quite another to collude with other companies to buy up huge patent portfolios for the sole purpose of extorting your competitors and stifling competition.."

Wait I'm biased but according to you, Apple is using this for the sole purpose of extortion? Come off of it. Back here in the real world Apple has probably paid out many times more in patent suits then it has or will collect any time soon. Why can't Apple be using these defensively as well?

[kelnos]

Maybe they are, but I'm more concerned with their primary purpose, and the "everyone vs. Google" setup of the bid-teaming seems to point to the offensive nature as primary.