Verizon’s deputy general counsel John Thorne expressed hope in an interview Tuesday that the Google buyout of Motorola would end the constant fights over patents. The cell network wasn’t sure of the impact and would be “looking with interest” at the consequences, but it hoped for a stalemate. The carrier has one of the biggest stakes in smartphones and is unique in having significant success both from Android and the iPhone, something it told the WSJ it wanted to continue.
“At first glance, to the extent that this deal might bring some stability to the ongoing smartphone patent disputes, that would be a welcome development,” Thorne said.
Carriers, while not often victims, stand to lose almost as much as subscribers from disputes. Patent upsets like Apple’s recent win over HTC can, if upheld, pull a product from shelves with little a carrier can do to prepare in advance.
