Why Didn’t Google Sue Apple Directly?

Nilay Patel has questions for Google re: the patents it bought and gave to HTC which HTC then used to countersue Apple:

  • Did Google acquire these patents knowing they would be alleged against Apple, by Google or a third party?

  • Has Google started acquiring patents for express purpose of offensive litigation, which it’s promised it would never do?

Like I said, fair’s fair once you start shooting in a patent war, and Apple started the shooting in this one. But can Google spare us the crocodile tears going forward? They complained only when they had no relevant patents, and soon as they got some, they gave them to HTC to sue with them.

★ Wednesday, 7 September 2011