Doug Sorocco was quoted extensively in MacNewsWorld on December 12, 2012, in an article by Rachelle Dragani, “Apple Cozies Up to Google for Kodak Patent Deal.”
Apple’s rumored odd-couple alliance with Google to buy Kodak patents is primarily a defensive opportunity for both companies to gain access to a broad portfolio and share in the underlying costs, said patent attorney Douglas Sorocco. “Both parties are looking to insulate themselves from patent infringement claims if a third party got their hands on one or more of the patents.”
Normally, that defense could be especially helpful for Apple, which is fighting Samsung in courtrooms around the world. In the Kodak patent buy case, however, Apple’s partnership with Google could be doing more for Samsung than Apple might like, suggested Sorocco.
“Generally, this move probably is more helpful to Samsung, as they work closely with Google and the Android operating system,” he pointed out. Still, the move makes sense from both sides, Sorocco continued. As much attention as Apple’s high-profile battle with Samsung gets, it’s not the only patent war the company is waging. Teaming up with a noted rival to increase its portfolio could be a move that ultimately saves precious legal resources in the future.
“My read is that this is primarily a defensive opportunity for both Apple and Google to gain access to a broad portfolio of technology patents and share in the underlying costs,” Sorocco observed.
“Both companies get what they want — freedom from suit and potential bargaining chips — and share the cost of doing so,” he pointed out. “It’s a pretty smart strategic and financial decision and doesn’t significantly impact the underlying disputes the companies have with one another on their core technologies.”
