Nortel

A consortium comprising Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, Research In Motion, and Sony has purchased Nortel Networks' remaining patent portfolio for $4.5 billion in an auction that began earlier this week.

The group purchased some 6,000 patents and patent applications encompassing technologies such as wireless, wireless 4G, data networking, optical, voice, Internet, and semiconductors, Nortel announced late Thursday.

Nortel, which filed for bankruptcy protection in June 2009, said in a statement it was pleased with the auction's outcome.

"The size and dollar value for this transaction is unprecedented, as was the significant interest in the portfolio among … Read more

Lytro's Founder and CEO Ren Ng Ph.D. stopped by the BOL studio today to discuss his new product the Lytro Light Field Camera which allows you to focus different depths of field within one photograph. We picked his brain about how the technology works and how it will evolve into the art of photography and beyond. We also discuss the FTC's probe into Google's business practices as well as the upcoming possible overhaul of the United States Patent office rules and regulations. Lulzsec continues to make news and publish the identity of its victims while a rival hacker group calling themselves TeaMp0ison has vowed to out the members of Lulzsec by publishing Lulzsec's identities and personal information in retaliation. All this and more on today's Buzz Out Loud with special guest host from Android Atlas Antuan Goodwin who has a deep fear of Zombies.

U.S. antitrust regulators have given Apple the green light to make a bid on 6,000 Nortel patents and patent applications, Bloomberg reported today.

The decision comes just weeks after news about the Justice Department looking into bids made on that collection of intellectual property. The investigation began after concerns were made about the winner gaining an unfair edge against the competition.

Those patents and patent applications are up for grabs in a sale that begins Monday through Nortel's law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton. The sale was originally slated to occur last week, but was delayed … Read more

Earlier this week Nortel postponed the bankruptcy auction for its collection of 6,000-plus wireless patents by seven days, citing a "significant level of interest" in them. Now the source of that interest has been identified: Intel, Ericsson AB, and patent risk solutions provider RPX, who've all been accepted as qualified bidders in the June 27 auction.

Also qualified as a bidder: Apple, which, as AllThingsD reported back in December, has been sniffing around Nortel's IP for months now.

With these four participating in the auction for Nortel's portfolio, it seems almost certain Google will … Read more

Nortel Networks said it is putting off the auction for its 6,000 patents and applications due to "significant level of interest."

The Nortel auction was moved from June 20 to June 27 to accommodate the increased interest. In other words, Google got the go-ahead from regulators to bid on Nortel's patents, but may wind up paying a lot more than $900 million if it wants the portfolio.

So what companies are likely bidders for Nortel's patents?

Look no further than the companies that filed objections to Google's effort to bid on Nortel's patents: … Read more

The Justice Department's antitrust authorities have approved Google's $900 million bid for 6,000 Nortel patents and patent applications, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

The conclusion, attributed to unnamed sources, means that the purchase of the intellectual property from the bankrupt telecommunications company wouldn't be anticompetitive, and it significantly advances Google's bid.

Microsoft, a top Google competitor, has raised concerns about Google's bid for the Nortel patents about the purchase. AT&T, Nokia, Hewlett-Packard, and Verizon also have filed objections, the Journal said.

Patents are a hot commodity these days with an explosion … Read more

Microsoft raised objections to Google's plans to buy some 6,000 patents held by bankrupt Nortel Networks over concerns the search giant might change the terms of Microsoft's worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free license to those patents.

Microsoft raised the issue in a filing with a Delaware bankruptcy court, which was reported by Reuters. Microsoft wants its existing agreements to be transferred to Google or any other company that acquires the patents.

Google, which will likely face competing bids, offered more than $900 million for the patent portfolio from the bankrupt Canadian telecom-equipment maker. The patents cover technology that includes … Read more

The Justice Department is looking into the bidding for patents being sold by Nortel Networks over fears they could be used to quash competition, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The bankrupt Canadian telecom-equipment maker is unloading 6,000 patents for technology that includes wireless video, Wi-Fi, and LTE mobile data technology. According to the Journal, regulators worry that the patents could be a bludgeon for acquirers to wield against rivals as they move into emerging markets.

The Justice Department seems particularly concerned about Apple and Google. The Journal reports that the agency's antitrust division is reviewing Google's $… Read more

RIM is reportedly considering whether to put an offer on the wireless-patent portfolio of bankrupt Nortel Networks.

According to a Bloomberg report today, RIM is considering putting its own bid on the 6,000 wireless patents belonging to fellow Canadian company Nortel. RIM may also join a larger group planning to make a bid. This group is a collection of handset makers and other tech companies, according to Bloomberg's unnamed sources.

The patent portfolio up for grabs is broad, relating to wireless, 4G, data networking, optical, voice, Internet, service providers, and semiconductors. Two weeks ago, Google bid $900 million in cash … Read more