Friday, March 29, 2013
18. Google Being Generous, Maybe?
Google has just promised not to assert 10 of its patents against open source software. This has created lots of publicity for Google, as they seem like the nice and generous people. However, the truth is not as bright as that. In 2005, some companies had done similar things and pledged not to assert select patents against open source softwares. However, it was not effective and those pledges had not changed anything because those select patents were really limited and small. The 10 patent that Google had promised comprises of an extremely small percentage of Google's patent portfolio. In fact, it is one of the most 'stingy' companies involved in such acts, where it pledged less than a percent of its portfolio. Having said that, it is still possible that such open source companies maximize the use of such patents to produce something amazing for consumers. Google may be having that in mind, and trying to promote innovation by making those open source companies make do with what they have to come up with something useful. The future is unknown, and it is interesting to see how things might turn out.
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You're right in that the sheer number of patents pledged by Google vs other companies in the past is quite different. Although I think its also important to look at what exactly was contained in those 10 patents instead of looking at just numbers. Google could have pledged a very important technology (and/or a very strong set of patents).
ReplyDeleteGautam brings up a great point. One very critical patent would be worth much more than 10000 obscure patents. Looking at the quality of the patents is much more important than the quantity. The 10 patents that Google has pledged related to MapReduce, which related to data management. Given the tension between Google and companies such as Hadoop, this contribution should be weighted appropriately, it should be valued more than your average contribution.
ReplyDeleteProduct is definitely worth more than than the number. I'm sure Google must have realized how the media might perceive such a low number as 10 patents only, but were cautious and strategic to include some strong patents in those 10.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Google's pledge not to assert its patents against open source software is invalid or insincere, given Google's stance on the Android ecosystem's open source nature. Google's culture of innovation relies on a network of third-party developers to buy into and rely on Google's software infrastructure and patents; by asserting its patents, Google would effectively be suing its own partners and community.
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