@chr0m4t1c and b166er
the closest two posts I've seen to the way I think about it.
Patent claims have gone on for years, mostly without our knowledge, and there are probably monies transferring between companies that would raise the eyebrows of even those here for their audacity.
However, in the mobile market it's getting ridiculous, and some major firms are getting to the point of obvious anti-competitive patent practices, aimed at smaller corporates, and increasingly turning into into "you think you're bigger than me" playground battles..
So, as b166er says, Google are now saying "that's enough, pipe down". How far do the big companies want to take this battle? Also, it 'proves' Google's dedication to the Android sector, they will pass the patents on.
This one is going to be an interesting playout, and at the mo I'm on the side of the <no evil>, cos they have more to lose if they play it wrong, and they need their partners.
nK