Google is in the midst of patent cross-licensing spree. After Samsung, they’re making a similar long-term arrangement with Cisco, covering “a broad range of products and technologies.”
Under the deal, each of the two companies will be able to extract significant value from its patent portfolio through a license to the other’s portfolio, all while helping to reduce the risk of future litigation.
“Our agreement with Cisco will reduce the potential for litigation, letting us focus instead on building great new products,” said Allen Lo, Google’s Deputy General Counsel for Patents. “We’re pleased to enter into this cross-license, and we welcome discussions with any company interested in a similar arrangement.”
Both Cisco and Google are members of the Coalition for Patent Fairness, a leading advocacy group for patent reform. In addition, Cisco General Counsel Mark Chandler recently reiterated a pledge not to sell patents to patent assertion entities in order to help encourage innovation rather than litigation.