Skip to main content

Google is looking to squash patent trolls with new patent purchase program

google tries to put patent trolls out of business by partnering with inventors campus googleplex android
Google announced Monday that it would be opening up its very own patent marketplace.

“We invite you to sell us your patents. The Patent Purchase Promotion is an experimental marketplace for patents that’s simple, easy to use, and fast,” said the company in a blog post. This new program looks like its going to be a straight forward, no bells or whistles, initiative that sounds like American Idol for inventions. Inventors from around the country are welcome to submit patents and Google will decide if it is willing to pay for them. The window is short for a chance at Google buying your patent, as it will only keep the marketplace open from May 8 to May 22.

So, how much will Google pay for your patent? There is no negotiation on the pricing whatsoever. Would be patent sellers attach a price to their prepared pitch and Google has the choice of accepting or rejecting the asking price. Google explains “From May 8, 2015 through May 22, 2015, we’ll open a streamlined portal for patent holders to tell Google about patents they’re willing to sell at a price they set. As soon as the portal closes, we’ll review all the submissions, and let the submitters know whether we’re interested in buying their patents by June 26, 2015”

Google is hoping that by bringing some transparency to the market it will offer inventors some alternative to patent trolls or NPE’s (non practicing entities.) These organizations exist for the sole purpose of purchasing patents but do not actually produce or manufacture a product. Instead they leverage these patents with larger companies that wish to use the patented technology, or they sue them. This new program will bring a new level of simplicity and security for inventors looking to sell their patents.

Google has not specified how much it plans to spend on this program, but it is expecting a high volume of submissions in the relatively short two week submission period.

Editors' Recommendations

Andre Revilla
Andre Revilla is an entrepreneur and writer from Austin, TX that has been working in and covering the consumer tech space for…
The new Google Home app officially launches on May 11
Several images of the new Google Home app on a tan background.

After a lengthy public preview, the new Google Home app is officially launching on May 11. The redesign boasts a few highly requested features, along with a fresh UI that makes it easy to navigate even the most cluttered of smart homes.

Announced during Google I/O, the new Google Home app features five tabs -- Favorites, Devices, Automations, Activity, and Settings. Upon launching the app, you’ll be greeted by the Favorites tab, where you’ll find a list of your most-used gadgets. Devices are also automatically placed into categories such as Lighting and Cameras so you can quickly bounce between menus without any fuss.

Read more
This is the Google Pixel Fold, and it looks incredible
Side view of the Pixel Fold

Google has truly, officially confirmed that its mythical foldable phone is real. After it appeared in a few dozen leaks, Google has announced that the Pixel Fold is right around the corner. Now, you won’t have to wait much longer to burn some cash on it, as the phone will be officially revealed on May 10.

For now, we only have a slick teaser video to gaze at. I’ve had little hope about the Pixel Fold’s design, but I’m having somewhat of an epiphany after seeing those shiny metallic sides and the two-tone metal-glass finish on the rear panel. It’s not really surprising, but the video makes the whole package look enticing.

Read more
Apple and Google are teaming up to make tracking devices less creepy
Apple AirTag lifestyle image.

Apple and Google are partnering to develop a new standard for Bluetooth tracking devices that seeks to stop malicious stalking and other abusive use of gadgets like the Apple AirTag. Essentially, this would be a universal, OS-level tracker detection and alert system that will work uniformly across Android and iOS. The two companies are inviting stakeholders to review the proposal and submit their feedback within the next three months.

Once the feedback period is over, all the involved parties will work together to finalize the technical standardization, with the hope of releasing a market-ready version by the end of the year. Following the release and adoption by makers of tracking devices, the tech will be generally made available via a software update for Android and iOS devices.
Better late than never

Read more