Tuesday 10 April 2012

Microsoft buys and licenses AOL patents in $1bn deal

Internet companies always struggle to monetise; it is interesting how a market of patents is emerging and how some traditional companies (like AOL) can profit from it.
Microsoft buys and licenses AOL patents in $1bn deal
Microsoft is buying the majority of AOL's patents in a deal worth $1.06bn (£668m).
A statement said the agreement covers the intellectual property rights to more than 800 innovations.
Microsoft will also be granted licensing rights to about 300 patents that AOL is keeping.

Read the whole article at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17657205

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the statement in your introduction is rather sweeping and a little too general. "Internet companies always struggle to monetise...." If anything, the contrary is true. I will agree that due to the reduced running costs companies will often build for the masses first, then once they have been attracted find a way of monetising. However, I still think your opening statement is not backed by evidence.

Frances said...

This would make a good case study for strategic management students.

kristina said...

Wow, that's a fine case to study. Wonder how this could affect employee training database.

kristina said...

1 billion! These tech giants sure have mastered the entire theory on business acumen! Its time the small time entrepreneurs learn them as well!

Kathleen said...

seems like a victorious feat.