theodp writes "The WSJ reports that Verizon, Google, Cisco, and HP are among the companies that have joined a secretive group called the Allied Security Trust (reg.). Each of the companies will reportedly put $5 million in escrow to allow AST to snap up intellectual property on their behalf before it falls into the hands of parties that could use it against them. Patents will be resold after AST member companies have granted themselves a nonexclusive license to the underlying technology. According to AST CEO Brian Hinman, a former VP of IP and Licensing at IBM, the arrangement will keep member companies out of antitrust trouble."
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Reuters Coverage (no registration required) (Score:1, Redundant)
Tech majors to join hands against patent suits - WSJ [reuters.com]