Google Acquires Motorola Mobility as Strategic Move in Patent War

Google announced this morning that it is acquiring Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion. What does this mobile acquisition mean? According to Google, “Motorola will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. Google will run Motorola Mobility as a separate business.” The deal was made in cash and was unanimously approved by both companies’ boards.

TechCrunch reports that Google gains more than 17,000 patents in the acquisition. The move puts Motorola at the front of the Android line, but Google is quick to point out that the other Android partners aren’t upset. Samsung and HTC “welcome today’s news” and “welcome the news of today’s acquisition,” while both Sony Ericsson and LG “welcome Google’s commitment to defending Android and its partners.” That all sounds a bit… scripted. Tell us how you really feel, Android partners!

Android has been Motorola’s sole OS since 2008, so in retrospect, the acquisition isn’t a complete surprise. Google officially states that the acquisition will help the company “better protect Android from anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies.” That statement makes it most clear what the purpose of this move is: game on, this is war.

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