Googlorola gets blessing from EU and USA

The acquisition of Motorola Mobility by Google took a step closer today when both the European Union and USA's DOJ gave their approval for the buy-out to take place.

Speculation has run rife since the announcement that Google and Motorola had agreed in principle to the purchase, that the real reason is in the thousands of patents that Mountain View's finest will inherit. This, it's increasingly believed, will provide the 'plex with the patent muscle it needs to ward off attacks from its rivals, Apple primarily, and increasingly Microsoft which has shown itself to be highly inclined to bully royalties from handset makers selling Android powered devices.

It's rumoured, although not confirmed, that Microsoft has demanded US$15 from each handset sold that it claims uses its patented technology. That's 3.3% of the average mobile handset price (based on a $450 average retail), significantly more that the heavily criticised 2.25% cap Moto was allegedly offering in its patent battle with Apple. If true, then MS is certainly in no position to lecture other corporates on the morality of their patent claims.

While China and India, both enormous marketplaces in their own right, have yet to OK the Googlorola mashup, few doubt that the approval will be granted. Since those territories and the EU plus US make up the lion's share of the mobile market, it's really immaterial if the remaining territories add their blessings, so it would be a serious gambler who'd bet against the deal being done in the coming weeks.

Source: All over the flippin' web