“Google’s $12.5 billion buy of Motorola Mobility might hurt Apple’s ability to pressure the Android ecosystem and the iPhone maker may try to strike back by buying up more patent troves, Jefferies & Co said,” Sayantani Ghosh reports for Reuters. “The brokerage sees Nokia, InterDigital, and Research In Motion’s patents as potential targets for Apple.”
“‘We believe Apple is a licensee of Nokia and pays significant royalties for cross-licensing… Nokia likely has at least 50 essential 4G patents and likely over 100 essential 3G patents,’ the brokerage said,” Ghosh reports. “Jefferies said RIM spent over $5 billion in acquiring and developing its patent portfolio, according to its calculations, and has critical security related patents that Apple could pursue. Based on the 63 percent premium Google paid for Motorola Mobility, RIM’s could be valued at something over $20 billion.”
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Ghosh reports, “InterDigital, which is looking to sell itself and was reportedly being courted by Google, may also interest Apple.”
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