[Dysiode]

"But what exactly does Google need to defend against, if not actual patents Android actually violates?"

I may be naive but I simply don't understand the concept of transferring the ownership of a patent. If Google buys a patent related to Android then HOORAY! They can use that idea in Android. If Microsoft buys that patent related to Android then HOORAY! Microsoft gets to sue Google.

It seems to me that "violations" are simply "didn't pay enough monies." Why is buying a patent your product violates a bad thing?

and, on a semi-unrelated note, why are patents transferable at all? Shouldn't they only benefit the person who created it? what claim does some arbitrary company dozens of sales down the line have to that patent?