Microsoft Buys 800 AOL Patents For $1 Billion 103
netbuzz writes "Marking the latest escalation in the technology industry's intellectual-property arms race, Microsoft is paying AOL a shade over $1 billion for 800 patents, the cream of which AOL CEO Tim Armstrong has described as 'beachfront property in East Hampton.' Armstrong insists they haven't left the cupboard bare: 'We continue to hold a valuable patent portfolio as highlighted by the license we entered into with Microsoft. The combined sale and licensing arrangement unlocks current dollar value for our shareholders and enables AOL to continue to aggressively execute on our strategy to create long-term shareholder value.'"
Re:Come on, now (Score:5, Informative)
Would you rather see AOL become the next Rambus?
Personally I wouldn't be surprised if AOL slowly evolves into an e-mail portal for those who have had an address with them and are willing to pay $20 per year to keep that address, but they might be able to make something with the cash, if they're not horrifically stupid.
Wow (Score:5, Informative)
Re:WOW AOL is still alive (Score:5, Informative)
Huffington Post, TechCrunch, Moviefone, MapQuest, Joystiq, Engadget
Re:Treading water... (Score:2, Informative)
Let's see, does this mean the GIF patent goes to Microsoft?
The GIF patent is expired, and has been for about 9 years...