Lodsys, a company which owns some patents relating to in-app purchases for mobile devices, is in the process of suing Apple’s iOS developers and Google’s Android developers.
We have heard quite a bit from Apple on this, who are attempting to act on behalf of its iOS developers, but we hadn’t heard anything from Google, until now.
According to Wired, Google has asked the United States Patent and Trademark Office to review the two patents that Lodsys holds to see if they are valid. They released the following statement.
“We’ve asked the US Patent Office to reexamine two Lodsys patents that we believe should never have been issued,” Google senior vice president and general counsel Kent Walker told Wired.com in a statement. “Developers play a critical part in the Android ecosystem and Google will continue to support them.”
The Importance of Patent Validity
The validity of patents is a crucial issue in the tech industry. Patents are meant to protect genuine innovations, but sometimes, patents are granted for ideas that are either too broad or not genuinely novel. If the USPTO decides that the patents held by Lodsys are invalid, it could save both Apple, Google, and the individual application developers a lot of time and money. Invalidating these patents would mean that Lodsys would no longer have the legal grounds to sue developers for using in-app purchase mechanisms.
This is not just a legal battle but also a significant financial concern. Legal battles can be incredibly costly, and small developers often do not have the resources to fight prolonged legal battles. By stepping in, both Apple and Google are showing their commitment to protecting their developer communities.
Google’s Role in Supporting Developers
At least now we know that Google is looking to do something to help its Android developers in the various patent cases which have been brought by Lodsys. This move by Google is a clear indication of their support for the developer community. Developers are the backbone of the Android ecosystem, creating the apps and services that make the platform so popular. By challenging these patents, Google is not only protecting its developers but also ensuring the continued growth and innovation within the Android ecosystem.
Moreover, this action by Google could set a precedent for how tech companies handle similar patent disputes in the future. If successful, it could discourage other companies from pursuing questionable patents and using them to target developers.
In addition to legal support, Google has also been known to provide various resources and tools to help developers create better apps. From comprehensive documentation to developer forums and support channels, Google has always emphasized the importance of a robust developer community. This latest move is just another example of their ongoing commitment.
Source Wired
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