Tuning up the Ratio
Tuning up the Ratio
As is so often the case in this business, a big, earthshaking news story hit the press just as we were sending our own issue to the printer.
Of course, big stories happens all the time, and it seems like we are always printing something, so we take these collisions in stride. In this case, the news is that Google just bought Motorola Mobility for US$ 12.5 billion – a pretty big expense for a company like Google that has always prided itself on being the quintessential web company, with no complicated manufacturing or other corporeal uncertainties gumming up the path to the customer. Google’s strategy has always been so pure – just programming, marketing, and managing data. Since when did they want to start making and distributing electronic devices? What’s next? TVs? Toothpaste?
It only took a few hours for the news sites to pick up on the real story. This tale is about patents. Unlike many more conventional companies, Google never really got into the patent game. Even when they started working on Android – a new frontier for which they seemed fully prepared technically – they really didn’t come to play legally. The game with patents is about attacking the weakest opponent. If I have patents and you don’t, I will sue you mercilessly. If you have patents and I have reason to fear you will sue me back, I leave you alone.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.
-
Linux Kernel 6.14 Released
The latest Linux kernel has arrived with extra Rust support and more.
-
EndeavorOS Mercury Neo Available
A new release from the EndeavorOS team ships with Plasma 6.3 and other goodies.