Patent Litigation Heats up on Other Fronts

Most observers attribute Google's purchase of Motorola primarily to Google's need to amass a trove of patents with which to protect itself from patent infringement lawsuits. But that isn't the only front on which patents now have emerged as a key element of business strategy.

Jay Walker founded Walker Digital as a research lab, leading to the founding of Priceline and vending-machine firm Vendmore Systems. After putting his patent portfolio up for auction last year, Walker now is working with IP Navigation Group, a self-described "patent monetization" firm, and has filed 30 lawsuits against firms including Amazon, Zynga and Google. Priceline Founder Spoiling for a Fight Over Tech Patents

Separately, the International Trade Commission on Monday has scheduled a hearing to review
Microsoft Corp.'s patent-infringement charges against Motorola.

The ITC, if it rules in Microsoft's favor, could bar imports of Motorola smartphones running Android.
ITC reviews Microsoft patent charge against Motorola